SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) Indicator 2.2.1
Zamzam University of Science and Technology (ZUST) has established an institutional program to measure and manage food waste generated across its campus dining and catering facilities. This initiative forms part of the university’s broader sustainability policy under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Food waste generated from student canteens and staff cafeterias is systematically measured, recorded, and categorized through the Catering and Facilities Office, in coordination with the Faculty of Agriculture and the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Studies (SAES). The measurement process includes daily weighing of leftover food and kitchen scraps, followed by weekly data reporting to the Sustainability Committee for analysis and improvement planning.
To ensure environmental sustainability, ZUST operates a unique recycling initiative known as “Food for Soil.”
This program converts organic food waste into compost, which is then used as natural fertilizer for the university’s research and demonstration farms. The program not only helps reduce landfill waste but also enhances soil health and fertility, creating a practical learning environment for agricultural students and researchers.
“Food for Soil” also serves as an awareness and research platform that educates students and staff about the connection between food consumption, waste management, and sustainable agriculture. Through seminars, student projects, and field demonstrations, participants learn how composting supports soil health, carbon capture, and climate resilience.
The initiative has created a closed-loop system in which food waste from campus cafeterias is transformed into a resource that sustains the university’s own farms linking nutrition, sustainability, and education in practice.