The PLEDGE on Food Waste is a global, third-party certification for food service providers such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, cafeterias and canteens. It is built on 7 pillars and 95 criteria that help businesses measure and reduce food waste across the entire food journey, and it is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
July 01, 2026
Food waste is one of the most expensive problems in the food service industry, and one of the easiest to overlook. Globally, roughly one third of all food produced is lost or wasted every year.
In 2022 the world generated 1.05 billion tons of food waste, about 132 kilograms per person, and threw away more than 1 billion meals a day, according to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024.
The price is high. Food loss and waste cost the global economy close to USD 1 trillion a year and create 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly 5 times the emissions of aviation.
A regional problem worth billions
Across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, the numbers are even more striking, and the cost lands directly on businesses.
Egypt wastes more than 18 million tonnes of food a year, around 155 kilograms per person, well above the global average. Pakistan loses food worth about USD 4 billion every year. Turkey discards roughly 93 kilograms per person, including millions of loaves of bread every day.
In the Gulf, hospitality is the hotspot. In Dubai about 38 percent of prepared food is wasted on a normal day, rising to 60 percent during Ramadan. In Qatar, a Doha study found 25 percent of food prepared during Ramadan goes to waste.
The national totals are equally heavy. Food waste costs Saudi Arabia close to USD 11 billion a year and the UAE around USD 3.5 billion. For hotels, restaurants, resorts and caterers, every kilogram thrown away is money already spent on purchasing, storage, labor, energy and disposal.
What The PLEDGE on Food Waste is
The PLEDGE on Food Waste offers a practical way to turn this loss into measurable savings.
It is the leading global certification program built specifically to help food service providers measure and reduce food waste. Unlike broad sustainability standards, it focuses entirely on food waste.
The PLEDGE is built on 7 pillars and 95 criteria that cover the whole food journey, from purchasing and storage to preparation, service and post-consumer disposal. Rather than setting vague targets, it gives teams clear standard operating procedures and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
How it cuts costs and boosts sustainability
For regional businesses, the appeal is both financial and reputational, and the two reinforce each other.
- Cut costs
The PLEDGE turns food waste into a managed metric through daily monitoring and KPIs such as kilograms of food waste per cover. The World Resources Institute found that every USD 1 invested in food waste reduction returns about USD 14, an ROI few operational changes can match.
- Boost sustainability
With the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and others pursuing net zero and food security goals, certified waste reduction supports national priorities and corporate ESG reporting, and backs sustainability claims with independent proof in a market wary of greenwashing.
- Engage people
The PLEDGE involves staff and guests alike, embedding circular economy thinking that lasts well beyond the audit and strengthens brand reputation over time.
FAQ
The scale is significant. Egypt wastes more than 18 million tonnes of food a year, Pakistan loses around USD 4 billion of food annually, food waste costs Saudi Arabia close to USD 11 billion and the UAE about USD 3.5 billion, and in Dubai up to 60 percent of prepared food is wasted during Ramadan.
Wasted food is money already spent on purchasing, storage, labor, energy and disposal. By tracking waste daily and acting on the data, businesses recover much of that cost. Research by the World Resources Institute shows a typical return of about USD 14 for every USD 1 invested in food waste reduction.
Most operations achieve certification within two to six months, depending on size and complexity. The certification is valid for one year, and an annual recertification audit keeps your certified status current.
How can SGS help my business achieve PLEDGE certification?
SGS is an approved certification body for The PLEDGE on Food Waste. With local offices and accredited auditors across the region.
Partner with us to achieve The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification and make measurable progress toward a more sustainable future.
To learn more about our services and how we can support your food waste reduction goals, contact us. Our team will guide you through the process and provide all the information you need to get started.
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About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
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