MUSCAT: A major initiative to reduce food waste has been launched in Muscat Governorate, addressing the growing concerns over significant food waste, especially after Iftar and Suhoor gatherings during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Titled ‘Take What You Need,’ this multilingual awareness campaign aims to highlight the importance of preserving food and curbing excess waste. It encourages individuals to prepare or purchase only the amount of food they need, aiming to reduce the food discarded into landfills.
"The ‘Take What You Need’ campaign responds to the increasing food waste, particularly during Ramadhan. Large quantities of food, which are hard to quantify, often end up in trash or landfills," said a spokesperson from Muscat Municipality.
The initiative points out the environmental and community impacts of food waste, including the foul odors that develop as food decomposes and the additional strain it places on sanitation workers.
The core messages of the campaign are focused on fostering gratitude, sharing with the needy, reducing waste and promoting responsible consumption. It aims to encourage societal values that promote appreciation of blessings and wise resource management.
Key messages include:
Gratitude to Allah: Wasting food shows a lack of appreciation for Allah's blessings.
Helping the needy: Share surplus food with those in need instead of discarding it.
Exhaustion of cleaning efforts: Food waste puts additional strain on cleaning staff.
Barakah (Blessings) in sustenance: Respecting food brings blessings, while wastefulness can lead to loss of provision.
Economic wisdom: Avoiding food waste saves money and helps manage resources wisely.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
