Omani Women’s Innovative Initiative to Recycle Leftover Food into Organic Fertilizers

A group of Omani women has initiated an innovative idea to recycle leftover food, which is generated in many households and hotels, and convert it into fertilizers.

Titled the “Zeelah Project,” a team of seven women from the National Finance Institution won the Best Project Award at the Springboard competition organized by Ooredoo on Tuesday.

Alia al-Balushi, the driving force behind the project, said:

“Our project is about recycling leftover food generated by commercial entities and households in Oman. It’s a noble concept addressing the major issue of food waste.”

She added, “We have solar-powered bins that will be distributed among businesses and households, starting primarily in Muscat. However, the commercial production has not started yet.”

The term “Zeelah” is derived from Omani culture, meaning a bin used by households to collect food for their animals. The project aligns with the national vision to promote environmental well-being.

Alia continued:

“Upon successful implementation in Muscat Governorate, we plan to expand to other governorates and instill the culture of ‘reduce,’ ‘reuse,’ and ‘recycle’ for the protection of the environment.”

The women’s team believes the project’s most effective use will be during Ramadan, when both households and businesses waste tons of cooked, uncooked food, and raw materials.

Additionally, the team is in the final stages of developing a mobile app that will help households collaborate with ‘Zeelah’ on an individual basis.

Alia said:

“We have some investors expressing interest in supporting us, and we’ve already had discussions with ministries and corporations. We are expecting positive feedback to push this project forward. Being chosen as the best project at Ooredoo’s Springboard gives us more confidence to move forward.”

There have been concerns about food excess and waste, and in response to these concerns, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MoAFWR) has launched the Oman Food Bank (Daima), which has managed to save over 100,000 meals, weighing 60 tons, with an estimated value of RO 100,000, according to Daima representatives.