As members of the vibrant and dynamic hospitality sector here in the Middle East, we have the power to shape the future of our industry and make a significant impact on the world around us. A recipe for change that will not only benefit our businesses but also preserve the environment and enhance the well-being of the communities that we serve.
As we work towards The UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and indeed carbon neutrality in 2050, many of us have already taken green leaps forward in implementing sustainable practices, however, one issue that I believe continues to need addressing is that of sustainable, affordable, and reasonable supply chain options.
It is forecasted that the food packaging industry in the UAE is set to grow to AED14 billion by 2025, and quite simply, that growth cannot be at the expense of the planet. It’s for this reason that it was great to see the UAE government launch the Circular Packaging Association in May, a group with the brief to raise consumer awareness about the importance of sustainable packaging and provide insight and recommendations on legislation and policies to change for the better.
This is a great step, and as we wait to learn more about new legislation that I am sure will follow, we as business owners need to embrace it and continue to challenge ourselves to find solutions. It was inspiring to see that Deliveroo, for example, has recently partnered with Sineo Packaging, an environmentally friendly packaging company that specializes in making recyclable and biodegradable products and allows restaurant partners to choose from over 20 different products.
However, what we must also consider is that while some businesses, including ourselves at Gates Hospitality, have chosen to absorb the extra costs that sustainable packaging can bring, we also realize that for some smaller businesses where every dirham counts, it might not be feasible.
That’s why it’s important that policymakers continue to look for ways to support the development of sustainable packaging that’s affordable, and then equally for us in the industry to reward those manufacturers who have sustainability on their agenda. Great strides have been made; indeed, I remember when we took the decision at Gates Hospitality to select suppliers based on their bio-degradable packaging back in 2015 we weren’t exactly spoiled for choice, but today there are certainly more options to choose from.
Collaboration is key to our success. Let’s come together as an industry to share best practices, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. These shouldn’t be business secrets that we keep to ourselves for a competitive advantage, there is more at stake here. That’s why I’m proud to be a board member of the UAE Restaurant Group, a collection of senior industry figureheads that continuously share and develop best practices on many subjects – including sustainability – and encourage other industry leaders to join us.
It’s important to note that supply consists of more than packaging too, and we would be contradicting ourselves if the food in biodegradable containers that had been transported for thousands of kilometres to get there, or indeed, if the food itself as a raw ingredient was packaged in unnecessary plastic.
Responsible sourcing is a key ingredient in this transformation, and we should all prioritize partnerships with local suppliers who embrace sustainable practices, such as organic farming, fair trade, and responsible fishing.
We appreciate that not everyone might be operationally able to have an Organic Vegetable Garden as we do at Reform or Six Senses Zighy Bay for example, but with an increasing number of bio-farms in the UAE, we all have an opportunity to procure responsibly and actively seek out local suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the economic development of communities in our vicinity.
And for those who are truly taking a lead, let’s not be shy to shout about our initiatives either. While there is increasing skepticism around ‘greenwashing’, those who are actively making a difference for the right reasons should feel empowered to share their work. Transparency and education are the pillars upon which we build trust with our customers, and so let’s continue to be transparent about our sustainability practices, sharing information about our sourcing, waste management, and energy-saving initiatives, and empowering our customers to make informed choices. Whether it’s as something simple as a QR code that links to a page which details all sustainability work as we have throughout the Gates Hospitality group, or indeed a ‘Sustainability Tree’ that sits pride of place outside the lobby of sustainable pioneers Six Senses Zighy Bay, let’s celebrate our successes. And let’s educate our staff about the importance of sustainability and empower them to be ambassadors of change.
Together, let’s weave sustainability into the fabric of our industry, ensuring that every aspect of our supply chain reflects our commitment to a brighter future.
