Introduction
The United Arab Emirates is a country with a rapidly growing population and a corresponding increase in demand for food. The cost of food waste is estimated to be around $1 trillion per year, and it is estimated that reducing food waste by just 15% could feed 1 billion people (Beretta & Hellweg, 2019). Additionally, reducing food waste has environmental benefits, as it can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In response, the UAE has been working to increase food production and reduce food waste. One way the UAE is doing this is by investing in technology that helps to reduce food waste.
One tech UAE employs to prevent food wastage is using agricultural robots that conduct crop management and harvesting. This helps reduce crop losses due to bad weather or pests and also reduces the amount of labor required for farming. Vertical farming is also widely used in the UAE to conserve food production resources (Sheldon, 2021). The UAE is home to the world’s largest vertical farm, which is located in Dubai. This type of farming uses less water and land than traditional farming and can be done indoors, making it ideal for desert climates. There is currently research being conducted to develop technology that can extend the shelf life of food. This would help lower food waste by allowing food to be stored for longer periods of time without spoiling.
The nation also utilizes food wastage tracking systems, which established that an average of 196 kg of food goes to waste per person in the UAE. The food waste tracking system will use data from various sources, including supermarkets, restaurants, and households. This data will be analyzed to determine where food is being wasted and why. Based on this information, the government will develop policies and programs to reduce food waste (Sheldon, 2021). The food waste tracking system is still in development, but it is hoped that it will help significantly prevent food waste in the UAE. The UAE is home to the world’s first food waste recycling plant, which turns food waste into animal feed (Sheldon, 2021). This helps to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills and also provides a sustainable source of food for animals.
Challenges of Implementing Zero Food Wastage Technology
Cost and Lack of Infrastructure
The main challenge faced by organizations when implementing technology to reduce food waste is the cost. Agricultural robots, vertical farms, and food waste tracking systems can be expensive to set up and maintain. Additionally, food waste recycling plants require a steady supply of food waste, which can be difficult to guarantee (Ardra & Barua, 2022). The cost of the technology can be a significant barrier for organizations looking to implement food waste reduction strategies. Agricultural robots, for example, can cost tens of thousands of dollars. This is a significant investment for most organizations and may not be feasible for all. For smaller organizations or those with limited budgets, the cost of the technology can be prohibitive (Ardra & Barua, 2022). Another challenge is the lack of infrastructure in many countries. Vertical farms, for example, require a lot of space and electricity, which is not always available, making it difficult to implement this type of technology. Many organizations may lack facilities to compost food waste or lack infrastructure to recycle packaging. This can make it difficult to reduce food waste effectively.
Sustainability
One of the challenges of food waste reduction is sustainability. Once food waste is reduced, it is important to maintain the reduction. This can be a challenge for organizations, as it requires ongoing effort. One way to maintain food waste reduction is to make it part of the organizational culture. This means that food waste reduction needs to be embedded into the way the organization operates. This can be difficult, as it requires a change in the way the organization thinks about and deals with food waste (Ardra & Barua, 2022). Another way to maintain food waste reduction is to have ongoing monitoring and evaluation. This is important to ensure that the technology is effective and to make changes as needed.
Lack of Knowledge and Resistance to Change
Many people are resistant to change, and this can be a challenge when implementing new technology to reduce food waste. One of the challenges in reducing food waste is the lack of knowledge about food waste and how to reduce it. Many people are unaware of the amount of food they waste on a daily basis and are resistant to changing their habits (Van et al., 2022). It can be difficult to convince people to change their habits, especially if they feel it is unnecessary. However, with the right education and motivation, people can be convinced to change their ways and help reduce food waste.
Implementation Difficulties
One of the difficulties in implementing new technology to reduce food waste is the need for training and support. This is because new technology can be complex, and people may not know how to use it. This can be a challenge for organizations, as it can be time-consuming and expensive to provide training (Van et al., 2022). Additionally, new technology may require ongoing support in order to be used effectively. Companies require to monitor food waste reduction efforts through data collection and analysis. It is also difficult to evaluate the success of food waste reduction efforts. This is because there are many factors that can affect food waste, and it can be difficult to isolate the impact of technology.
Another challenge is that some of the technology is still in the development stage and may not be ready for widespread use. For example, the technology to extend the shelf life of food is still being researched and has not yet been commercialized. Organizations also need to be aware of the potential risks associated with using new technology (Van et al., 2022). For example, agricultural robots could potentially put farmers out of business if they become too efficient. Food waste tracking systems could also be abused if the data is not used properly.
Emirates Environmental Group
The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a non-profit organization that works to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. One of the EEG’s main focus areas is food waste reduction, and the organization has been working to promote and implement various technologies and initiatives that can help to reduce food waste in the UAE. The EEG has been working with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to promote the use of new technologies that can help to reduce food waste, such as the development of a mobile app that allows users to track their food waste and learn about how to reduce it (Van et al., 2022). The app will also allow businesses to track their food waste and see where they can make improvements.
Moreover, the EEG has also been collaborating with the Ministry of Education to promote the implementation of food waste reduction initiatives in schools. One of the initiatives that the EEG is working on is the development of a food waste reduction curriculum that will be taught in all schools in the UAE (Pereira, 2018). The curriculum will teach students about the importance of reducing food waste and will provide them with tips and tricks on how to do so. In addition to its work with the government, the EEG is also working with the private sector to promote the use of new technologies to reduce food waste (Pereira, 2018). The organization is working with businesses to provide them with the resources and information they need to implement food waste reduction initiatives in their workplaces.
Furthermore, the EEG has been working to raise awareness about the issue of food waste and its impact on the environment. In 2015, the EEG launched a campaign called “Food for Thought” to educate the public about the issue of food waste and its impact on the environment. The campaign included a series of workshops, talks, and exhibitions. The EEG also launched a food waste reduction competition, which received over 1,000 entries from schools and businesses. Another key campaign is the “Food for Life” campaign, which aims to reduce food waste and promote sustainable agriculture (Pereira, 2018). The campaign has been successful in raising awareness about the issue of food waste and has resulted in some changes in behavior, such as the introduction of a food waste recycling program in Abu Dhabi.
Recently, the EEG launched the One Root One Communi-Tree movement aimed at getting people involved in tree planting and community-building. The campaign provides a way for people to connect with their local community and make a difference in the environment. Tree planting is a great way to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and provide a habitat for wildlife (One Planet: Handle with care, 2021). This campaign is a great way to get people involved in making their community a better place. There is better food productivity where the environment is more conducive.
However, there is still much work to be done in terms of reducing food waste in the UAE. The EEG is confident that the use of new technologies will help to reduce food waste in the UAE and make the country more sustainable. The organization is committed to continuing working with the government and the private sector to promote the use of new technologies and initiatives to reduce food waste (One Planet: Handle with care, 2021)The organization can adopt various food-saving technologies to promote its activities.
Impact of Adopting Zero Food Waste Technology in the EEG
Differentiation
The potential impact of implementing a technology-driven approach to reducing food waste could be significant for the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). As a non-profit organization, EEG is always looking for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, and this trend could help them to do just that. The potential impact of implementing a technology towards zero food waste on the UAE organization’s operational excellence in terms of differentiation would be very positive (Monica McBride, 2021). This is because the technology would allow the organization to better manage its food waste and ultimately reduce the amount of waste that it produces. This would differentiate the organization from its competitors who are not using this technology and would allow the organization to be more environmentally friendly. This would be a major selling point for the organization and would attract new customers who are looking for a more sustainable option.
Cost Leadership
The potential impact of implementing a technology towards zero food waste on the UAE organization’s operational excellence in terms of cost leadership would be mixed. This is because the technology would require a significant investment to implement and maintain. However, the long-term savings from reduced food waste would eventually offset the initial investment. This would allow the organization to save money on food costs, which would give it a competitive advantage (Monica McBride, 2021). The organization would be able to make use of more efficient processes and would no longer need to dispose of food waste in the traditional way. As a result, EEG would be able to pass on these savings to its customers, which would make the organization more competitive.
Customer Responsiveness
Finally, in terms of customer responsiveness, a technology-driven approach to reducing food waste could also help EEG to be more responsive to its customers. This is because the organization would be able to better understand the needs of its customers and would be able to develop solutions that meet those needs (Monica McBride, 2021). As a result, EEG would be able to build stronger relationships with its customers and would be better able to retain them.
Conclusion
A technology-driven approach to reducing food waste could have a significant impact on the Emirates Environmental Group. The organization would be able to better manage its food waste, which would differentiate it from its competitors. Additionally, the organization would be able to save money on food costs, which would give it a competitive advantage. Finally, the organization would be better able to understand and respond to the needs of its customers.
References
Ardra, S., & Barua, M. K. (2022). Halving food waste generation by 2030: The challenges and strategies of monitoring UN Sustainable Development goal target 12.3. Journal of Cleaner Production, 380, 135042. Web.
Beretta, C., & Hellweg, S. (2019). Potential environmental benefits from food waste prevention in the food service sector. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 147, 169–178. Web.
Monica McBride, D. (2021). Turning food waste into feed: Benefits and trade-offs for nature. WWF. Web.
One Planet: Handle with care. (2021). One Root, one communi-tree 2020. One Planet network. Web.
Pereira, N. (2018). EEG drums up efforts to reduce food waste – facilities management… EEG drums up efforts to reduce food waste. Web.
Sheldon, M. (2021). Artificial intelligence to reduce food waste in UAE. NYC Food Policy Center (Hunter College). Web.
Van, J. C., Tham, P. E., Lim, H. R., Khoo, K. S., Chang, J.-S., & Show, P. L. (2022). Integration of internet-of-things as sustainable smart farming technology for the rearing of black soldier fly to mitigate food waste. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 137, 104235. Web.