March 28, 2024 – 09:00 – Morocco
The images are distressing: overflowing garbage bins with perishable food, especially remnants of iftar, the meal eaten after sunset. The streets of Agadir are overrun with rubbish as the garbage collectors work hard to keep the city tidy.
Also read: Moroccans waste food en masse during Ramadan
“We see a huge increase in food waste during Ramadan,” says a garbage collector Al Ahdath Al Maghribia. “Tajines, harira, msemmen, baghrir… you name it, everything gets thrown away.” His colleague continues: “It’s the same people who complain about the overflowing garbage bins, who also throw away most of the food. Instead of changing their consumption habits, they blame us.”
Also read: Ramadan and social media: Iftar photos sow division
Studies by the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agricultural Studies (CIHEAM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) show that 45.1% of Moroccan households waste between 60 and 500 dirhams per month on food during Ramadan . According to a 2021 FAO report, every Moroccan throws away 91 kilograms of food every year.
