Despite having one of the world’s highest child malnutrition rates, advocates say Egypt also is – ironically – among the biggest wasters of food with the average Egyptian throwing away 73 kilograms each year. The pattern is especially evident during the Muslim holy season of Ramadan, when families have a large nightly feast after their daily fast - and food left over from the feast is thrown away. While some Egyptians adhere to the old habits of throwing away unconsumed food, some are learning ways to make use of it – and reduce the waste.
Despite Malnutrition, Egypt Wastes Food
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Musa Nazmy, a Garbage City resident, empties an expired can of beans that will be used in a biogas system that has been installed in his neighborhood. Biogas production is one way some people are starting to make use of food that would otherwise be wasted.
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Nazmy learns how to use food waste to run a biogas system under a program funded by the U.S. government. The U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, partnered with the Egyptian government four years ago to train and educate residents. “The system produces bio-gas enough for almost 2 hours,” which Nazmy says means substantial savings in power costs.