Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region wastes food worth at a cost of over $60 billion dollars annually, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

That comes up to around 250 kg of food is discarded per individual every year.

The United Nation Environment Programme estimates that one third of the food produced worldwide, valued at US$1 trillion, is discarded by consumers. Closer to home, the Mena region relies on imports for over 50 per cent of its food and wastes nearly 16 million tonnes of wheat every year, an amount that could feed up to 100 million people.

In order to address this issue, EcoWaste, the leading specialised event for sustainable waste management and recycling, will turn the spotlight on innovative next generation food waste technology at its second edition in January 2015.

The event will take place from January 19 to 22, 2015, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE.  

A key highlight of the international waste management exhibition will be a showcase of Hong Kong based-GreenGood Oklin’s revolutionary composting machines that convert organic waste into high-grade compost within 24 hours.

With figures suggesting that close to 40 per cent of the daily domestic waste produced by Abu Dhabi and Dubai residents consists of discarded food, managing organic waste is a growing problem in the UAE.

As part of its priority to address critical topics on recycling and effective waste collection, EcoWaste 2015 will highlight GreenGood Oklin’s food waste decomposition systems that can process between two to 500 tonnes of food waste per year.

The UAE is facing an uphill battle with waste generation, particularly with the amounts of food that residents tend to discard. According to figures released by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, 39 per cent of the municipal waste generated by residents in Abu Dhabi is attributed to food waste, while residents in Dubai discard a staggering 38 per cent percent of food every day.

Trends do not normally change overnight and as the UAE looks to embark on new initiatives to divert waste from landfills, technologies usually offer the best and quickest solution. EcoWaste 2015 will aim to highlight such solutions for the overarching benefit of the region at large.

The effective disposal of organic waste is a major concern. When organic waste decays in landfills, it releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as methane, which is potentially a harmful pollutant. The UAE needs a viable alternative to landfills. Companies such as Oklin integrate next generation technology to offer solutions.

Oklin’s compositing machine does not need to be connected to a water supply or sewer system. The decomposition process, which employs high temperature microorganisms, is energy-efficient and can break down food waste in one day. The system can reduce sold food waste by up to 90% in volume. The end product can be used as a fertiliser in gardens or agricultural land. Therefore, there are no landfill costs or wastewater.

Amish Choksey, general manager, GreenGood Eco-tech FZCO, Mena, said: "Oklin composters employ the most advanced and up-to-date technology to convert food waste. This is made possible by patented aerobic microbes to break down waste at a much faster speed than can be done by anaerobic microbes. These microbes are collected in high temperature regions and are carefully cultured and cultivated in a secure lab."

Co-hosted by Masdar and Tadweer (Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi), EcoWaste seeks holistic solutions for challenges in waste management. The initiative, organised by Reed Exhibitions, is expected to draw more than 2,000 buyers and key industry experts as well as 50 leading companies from all around the world to deliberate on international policies and best practices for ensuring a clean and green future.

Organised as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), EcoWaste will address critical topics on recycling and effective waste collection. The event will facilitate debate on sustainability challenges and offer potential solutions. EcoWaste joins forces with the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the International Water summit (IWS) to promote the interconnectivity between energy, water and waste for a sustainable future. – TradeArabia News Service