Organic waste are biodegradable materials that can be broken down into simpler organic molecules. Most often, organic waste refers to waste food, but it also includes yard waste, paper, wood, some fabrics, sewage and manure. It forms a significant fraction in municipal solid waste – as high as 65% in some countries. When such waste ends up in landfills, they decompose to release potent greenhouse gasses, chiefly carbon dioxide and methane. This underscores the critical need to manage organic waste more effectively to mitigate its climate impact. 

The United Arab Emirates, with its rapid economic growth and bustling urban centres, faces unique hurdles in managing organic waste effectively. However, amidst these challenges innovative solutions are emerging. R. Keerthana spoke to some of these organisations that are spearheading efforts in the nation. 

Black soldier fly to the rescue 

Circa Biotech employs black soldier flies to manage organic waste. A common and widespread fly of the family Stratiomyidae, the black soldier has increasingly been gaining attention because of its usefulness for recycling organic waste and generating animal feed. 

Circa Biotech engineers a contained environment where the fly is industrially reared on food waste allowing its transformation into a range of valuable resources. Dr. Haythem Riahi, Founder and CEO of Circa Biotech explains that these resources include insect protein for animal feed, larvae oil for biofuel, and organic fertilizer, all of which have diverse applications in various industries. “Organic waste management by beneficial insects is an industrially scalable and commercially profitable technology and is now being used by over 100 companies worldwide, with processing capacities varying from a few tonnes to over 350 tonnes/day,” he adds.  Industrial insect farming offers several advantages over traditional waste management solutions like landfilling or incineration. 

Food waste accounts for about 30% of total organic waste in Nature. According to a 2020 study,  the highest composition of municipal solid waste generated in Arab countries comprised organic material with percentages ranging from approximately 35% in Bahrain, 45% in Qatar, 50% in the UAE, 55% in Egypt and 65% in Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco and Yemen. 

The process employed by Circa Biotech results in a significant reduction in the volume of organic waste ending up in landfills. Efficiency is a crucial advantage of industrial insect farming. According to Riahi, “Insects like the black soldier fly have high feed conversion efficiency, allowing them to rapidly consume large amounts of organic waste and convert it into protein and fat-rich biomass (less than 10 days with Circa Biotech's approach).” It's a cost-effective solution that generates additional revenue streams from the sale of insect-derived products. This dual benefit of sustainability and profitability is a ray of hope for a greener, more prosperous future, he says. 

24-hour composting 

Ehfaaz pioneered 24-hour composting in the region, diverting food scraps, yard waste, and more from landfills. This approach reduces landfill dependency and conserves resources, while also helping farmers access affordable, locally produced feed, reducing reliance on imports. Its proprietary systems and processes transform organic waste of any kind into valuable resources, according to Aliyu Mohammed Ali, President & CEO of Ehfaaz. 

With a commitment to close the loop on waste and to give used resources a new life, the company also focuses on continually leveraging data analysis and technology to enhance processes. “Now, we're revolutionising animal feed production. Our innovative methods transform organic waste into a safe, nutritious, and sustainable animal feed that's embraced by farmers across the UAE,” Ali says, adding, “The technologies are fast, modular, and scalable to meet evolving needs. Our 24-hour composting system set the benchmark for rapid, efficient organic waste processing in the region.”  

Nature-based solution

The Waste Lab, an impact-driven, data-focused startup, co-founded by Lara Hussein, CEO, and Ceylan Uren, COO, operates on three main pillars: education and logistics support, data-tracking and nature-based composting and repurposing of food waste. It offers end-to-end solutions to businesses, communities, and the government, primarily targeting the hotel, restaurant, corporate, food production and events sectors. “Our process begins with a thorough data assessment to understand the client's food waste profile, followed by tailored solutions and staff training on food waste segregation at source. Every customer is provided with guidelines and food waste segregation bins to separate their food waste from other types of waste,” says Lara Hussein, speaking about their nature-based solution. 

In terms of logistics, The Waste Lab collects the segregated food waste on an agreed frequency, ensuring that the bins are swapped and cleaned. “We then transport the bins to our control station, where they undergo further sorting, contamination removal, and data collection.” The startup sends feedback and insights to clients to improve their segregation levels and to decrease their food waste from the source.  The food waste is then composted at their farmland, which currently has the capacity to handle 20 tonnes of food waste per day. “This nutrient-rich compost is produced in six to eight weeks and is now being tested to produce a soil amendment that can support local farmers,” she adds. The Waste Lab provides clients with transparency through an online dashboard, enabling them to track their food waste management progress, and also aiding in ESG reporting. 

Challenges and opportunities

The UAE generates approximately 3.5 million tonnes of organic waste annually, making efficient collection and processing a pressing issue, notes Riahi, adding that the extreme heat accelerates waste decomposition. So frequent collections are needed to prevent odours and health risks. Water scarcity complicates treatment processes. “Additionally, we don’t have enough dedicated sorting facilities with the capacity and technology to handle large volumes of organic waste efficiently.”

Rapid urbanisation generates more waste, putting pressure on infrastructure and limiting space for new facilities. Ali points out that absence of source segregation remains a key challenge, while Riahi points out that absence of an infrastructure for segregated waste collection also leads to mixed waste streams that are harder to manage. Both agree that public awareness and participation needs improvement. Ali says, “Public campaigns will enable higher quality feedstock for recycling as achieving high-quality organic waste streams for recycling can be a hurdle.”  “At present, infrastructure geared towards organic waste is underdeveloped. This creates bottlenecks in collection and limits sorting efficiency. Additionally, specialised processing facilities for a wider range of organic waste streams are needed. We believe in decentralised, modular infrastructure that offers the flexibility to adapt to future waste scenarios in the region, Ali adds. 

He points out that scaling solutions require investment in collection, sorting, and processing facilities, while highlighting that collaboration with municipalities would expedite sustainable waste management practices.  

Processing the waste is another area with significant challenges, as pointed out by Riahi: “We need more advanced technologies like composting, anaerobic digestion, and industrial insect farming to convert organic waste into valuable products. However, these technologies come with high operational costs, and the regulatory landscape can be tricky to navigate, slowing the implementation of new facilities.” 

Despite these challenges, Riahi feels the UAE’s commitment to sustainability offers tremendous opportunities. “Government initiatives such as the UAE Vision 2021 and the National Waste Management Strategy 2021-2026 aim to reduce landfill dependency and promote recycling, which supports investment in sustainable technologies.” 

The UAE has made significant progress in terms of awareness, commitment and policies, yet a few challenges persist, Hussein points out. These include high food waste accumulation, complex regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure gap. Hussein highlights the initial reluctance to adopt Nature-based solutions; however, the mindset is changing in the right direction. “People have been used to directly going to high-tech solutions and may not immediately see the value in composting. Nevertheless, nature-based solutions are starting to take center stage world-wide.” 

With the introduction of landfill fees and the growing awareness of sustainability, she points out there is a shifting tide towards more eco-conscious practices. 

Riahi vouches for comprehensive regulations and standards specifically targeting organic waste management. Another gap is the insufficient incentives for businesses and households to engage in proper waste segregation and recycling. Without these incentives, it’s challenging to achieve widespread participation, he states. 

This was also expressed by Ali and Hussein. Ali is confident that policies that incentivise organic waste diversion from landfills would bolster the economics of recycling, and Hussein says, “Incentives and subsidies for businesses adopting sustainable practices can go a long way.” 

She mentions that initiatives such as the National Food Security Strategy 2051, UAE Net Zero 2050 and Ne’ma Pledge demonstrate the nation’s commitment to reducing food loss and waste, signaling a positive trajectory for organic waste management in the UAE. 

Ne'ma, the nationwide effort of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, has set a goal of halving food waste by 2030. And it launched ‘Ne’ma Pledge’ to encourage organisations in the food value chain to commit to tackle food waste in multiple ways across the food value chain. She also spoke about how policies, such as polluter-pays, can bring about a positive change across the value chain.  

Batting for government procurement mandates for recycled products (compost, animal feed) to create market demand, Ali notes that the UAE has consistently been at the forefront of sustainability. “Policies encouraging organic waste solutions, as we've discussed previously, would solidify this leadership position further,” he concludes.