Explore Qatar's grassroots initiatives aiming to protect the planet

Waste not want not. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. These are some proverbs that show caring for the environment through sustainable living is not a new concept. In fact, it’s something that’s been passed down for generations, transcending culture and ethnicity.

In this latest episode of Qatar 365, we discover some grassroots initiatives happening in Qatar, including during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month which began in March this year.

As the sun sets on Doha’s Education City, 1500 people gather in a tent, to break their fast together - with an eco-friendly twist.

"So this iftar [the fast-breaking evening meal in Ramadan] is a little bit special because we’re aiming towards zero waste," explained Simon Jones, Engagement & Activation Expert at the Qatar Foundation.

"There will be no food waste in this event and there will be no waste from the packaging either. So all the way through the cycle, the packaging is compostable and biodegradable and all the excess food waste, it goes into a separate bin and it gets composted and that gets used within the landscaping around Education City."

In addition to the personal time for reflection during Ramadan, there’s also a large community-building aspect where Muslims quite literally break bread together. 

At a Zero-Waste Iftar in Education City, it takes a communal effort to ensure all food materials are composted and recycled, reducing the community’s carbon footprint.

"As soon as people finish their meal, they’ll get up, they’ll walk outside and we’ve got two separate bins. So one bin is for the dry waste, that’s the packaging of the food. And one bin is for the actual food that’s left over," Simon Jones told Euronews, adding "The food waste will get collected and taken