ADAFSA expands food waste reduction partnership with Spinneys and Circa Biotech

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Spinneys, and Circa Biotech have expanded a strategic partnership to reduce food waste and support sustainable agriculture by transforming surplus food into agricultural feed using black soldier fly larvae.

During a six-month trial at select stores in Abu Dhabi, Spinneys managed to decrease food waste sent to landfill by 54 percent. The food waste stream was instead diverted to Circa Biotech, where organic waste was converted into highly nutritious, protein rich animal feed, organic fertilisers and sustainable biofuel.

The partnership will now see all Spinneys stores in Abu Dhabi divert food waste material to the agricultural feed production facility at Circa Biotech, addressing the issue of food waste and creating new opportunities for sustainable resource management in the UAE's agricultural sector.

The utilisation of black soldier fly larvae supports the UAE’s sustainability efforts, as the upcycling of organic waste into valuable agricultural feed can help to minimise its environmental footprint and contribute to the development of a circular economy.

Omar Ali Al Shammari, Executive Director of ADAFSA’s Strategy and Policies Sector, said, "ADAFSA is delighted to partner with Spinneys in this groundbreaking initiative to address food waste and promote sustainable agriculture in the UAE. By harnessing innovative solutions such as the use of black soldier fly larvae, we can significantly enhance resource efficiency and contribute to the development of a more resilient food system. This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation to ensure food security and sustainability for present and future generations."

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, added, "We are thrilled to pioneer this transformative partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority. At Spinneys, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability across our operations. By harnessing the potential of the insect feed project, we are not only reducing food waste but also creating valuable resources for agriculture, thus advancing towards a more sustainable future for the UAE."