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THE WASTE LAB EXPANDS ACROSS THE EMIRATES AS THE UAE’S LANDMARK CLIMATE LAW PUTS FOOD WASTE FIRMLY ON THE CORPORATE AGENDA

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As the UAE accelerates efforts around food security, landfill diversion and circular economy infrastructure, Dubai-based sustainability business The Waste Lab is strengthening its operations across the Emirates to meet growing demand for practical, measurable food waste solutions across the hospitality, corporate, education and F&B sectors.

Founded by Lara Hussein and Ceylan Uren, The Waste Lab has grown from a startup into a licensed end-to-end food waste management and composting platform working with organisations including Accor, Jumeirah, Hyatt, Emirates Flight Catering, Dubai Holding, Expo City Dubai and Dubai World Trade Centre.

The business provides segregation-at-source systems, food waste collection, composting, sustainability reporting and impact tracking through a fully managed model designed to help businesses reduce landfill waste and better understand their environmental footprint. Food waste collected from hotels, offices, schools, restaurants and communities is processed at The Waste Lab’s composting facility in Al Ain, where it is converted into locally produced compost and regenerative soil solutions. It is the only operator in the UAE that closes the full loop – from bin to compost to soil.

The company says momentum around sustainability regulation and ESG accountability is rapidly changing how businesses approach food waste management in the UAE, particularly as landfill diversion and operational reporting become increasingly important across major sectors.

The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects marks a turning point for businesses operating across the country. The first of its kind in the MENA region, the law shifts climate accountability from voluntary commitment to legal obligation, requiring businesses across designated sectors to measure, report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, with penalties of up to AED 2 million for non-compliance. Critically, integrated waste management is explicitly named as an approved emissions reduction pathway, meaning food waste is no longer just an operational afterthought, it is a regulated liability. The Waste Lab was built for exactly this moment. Its end-to-end model, covering segregation at source, collection, composting and verified impact reporting, gives businesses a single, fully managed pathway to meet their legal obligations and demonstrate measurable progress. What was once a sustainability choice is now a legal one and The Waste Lab makes compliance straightforward.

According to The Waste Lab, nearly 40% of food in the UAE still ends up in landfill despite the country importing the majority of its food, while around 90% of compost used locally is imported, highlighting a significant gap between food waste generation and local resource recovery. With the UAE importing most of its food and almost all of its compost, locally produced alternatives are not just an environmental benefit, they are a food security and supply chain priority. The business believes composting will play a far bigger role in supporting local food systems, soil regeneration and circular economy goals in the years ahead.

Alongside its operational growth, The Waste Lab is developing a proprietary mobile application that will bring automation, AI-enablement and end-to-end data capture across the full waste management chain. The platform is designed to give clients deeper, real-time visibility into their food waste footprint, providing granular reporting on waste volumes, contamination rates and sustainability impact to help businesses track and report ESG performance and identify operational inefficiencies with greater precision.

A locally produced B2B compost product is also planned for commercial launch by end of 2026, completing the circular loop of its operations. Food waste collected from UAE businesses is composted and returned to UAE soil creating a traceable, locally produced alternative to the imported organic compost that currently dominates the market, and supporting the kind of soil regeneration the country’s agricultural and landscaping sectors urgently need.

Lara Hussein, Co-Founder and CEO of The Waste Lab, said: “Food waste is one of the UAE’s most urgent environmental challenges, yet composting remains one of the most practical and underutilised solutions available today. Businesses are increasingly looking for systems that are measurable, compliant and operationally realistic, especially as sustainability targets become more closely tied to reporting, regulation and long-term business strategy. The UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, ne’ma, has set a target to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030, and achieving that requires local infrastructure and scalable solutions that work in the real world. Our role is to make food waste diversion simpler, traceable and commercially viable while helping create healthier soil, stronger local food systems and long-term environmental impact.”

Beyond its commercial operations, The Waste Lab also works alongside ne’ma, Dubai Municipality, Emirates Foundation and Dubai Chambers on wider sustainability and environmental awareness initiatives across the UAE.

As part of its next phase of growth, the business is expanding operations across additional emirates while progressing plans for Saudi Arabia through a joint venture model. The company is also currently raising its seed round to support infrastructure, technology development and regional expansion.

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Welcome the New Year in Style at Orilla Dubai

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As 2026 draws to a close, Orilla, the chef-led MediterrAsian restaurant by Saradhi Dakara and Stellar Society Group, invites guests to welcome 2027 with an elevated New Year’s Eve celebration on 31 December 2026.

Perched on the 27th floor of Hotel Local Dubai in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Orilla provides a spectacular setting for the final night of the year. Guests can enjoy sweeping views across Dubai, taking in the surrounding golf courses, Jumeirah Beach Residence and the glittering city skyline as the city comes alive in celebration of the New Year.

The evening centres around a specially curated three-course sharing dinner, designed to bring guests together over a relaxed yet elevated dining experience. Guests can choose between two beverage packages, each offering a different selection of drinks alongside the dinner.

The New Year’s Eve packages are priced as follows:

  • House Package: AED 699 per person
  • Premium Package: AED 899 per person

At AED 699 per person, the House Package offers excellent value for a New Year’s Eve celebration in Dubai, bringing together a three-course sharing dinner, house beverages and a champagne allocation, all enjoyed against panoramic views of the city. For guests looking to make the evening even more special, the Premium Package is available at AED 899 per person, with an upgraded beverage selection. 

Both packages include the three-course sharing dinner, a selection of house or premium beverages, and a champagne bottle allocation according to table size, subject to confirmation.

Combining food, music and a vibrant festive atmosphere, the celebration offers an opportunity to gather with friends and family, raise a glass and welcome the year ahead against the backdrop of Dubai’s skyline.

Event Details

New Year’s Eve at Orilla
Date:
31 December 2026
Venue: Orilla Restaurant, 27th Floor, Hotel Local Dubai, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai
House Package:
AED 699 per person
Premium Package: AED 899 per person
To Book: +971 04 575 2986
Instagram: @Orilladxb
Website: orillarestaurant.com 

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Discover the StrEATS of Asia with P. F. Chang’s New Limited-Time Menu

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From the bustling street food stalls of Thailan to the smoky grills of Indonesia, P. F. Chang’s invites guests to taste their way across Asia with StrEATS OF ASIA, a new limited-time offer featuring eight Asian street food-inspired dishes. Available for dine-in across all markets from 4 November to 14 December 2026, the menu brings together some of the region’s most exciting and iconic street food flavors in one inviting dining experience, combining authentic inspiration with the quality and craftsmanship guests expect from P. F. Chang’s signature pan-Asian dining experience. Guests can also enjoy exclusive savings with AURA membership.

The menu opens with Tokyo Korokke, Japanese-style potato croquettes filled with sweet corn and peas, coated in crispy panko and fried until golden, served with tangy katsu sauce. For a taste of Indonesia, Smoky Street Satay brings flame-grilled chicken paired with a creamy, nutty peanut sauce, balancing smoky, sweet and savory notes.

For something comforting, the Coconut Silk Laksa features silky noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, finished with fresh herbs, crunchy toppings, and a burst of citrus. Meanwhile, Thai Basil Kra Pao puts a Thai street food favorite in the spotlight, with savory minced chicken stir-fried with fiery chillies and fragrant Thai basil, topped with a crispy fried egg.

Noodle and rice lovers can also tuck into Korean Japchae, featuring glossy glass noodles wok-tossed with vibrant vegetables, aromatic sesame oil and delicate soy notes, alongside Wok-Smoked Nasi Goreng, a beloved Indonesian classic made with smoked wok-fired rice, rich kecap manis and vibrant chillies, finished with a crispy-edged fried egg.

Rounding out the experience is a selection of sweet and refreshing treats. The Watermelon Bloom (Carafe) combines fresh watermelon with zesty lemon and a hint of sweetness for a bright, refreshing drink. Inspired by the Philippines’ iconic Mais Con Yelo blends sweet corn, creamy ice cream, and crunchy toppings for a nostalgic take on a much-loved dessert. Completing the lineup, Golden Glazed Sweet Potatoes pairs golden caramelized sweet potato with warm cinnamon notes, coconut ice cream, and toasted coconut flakes for a comforting sweet finish.

Throughout the campaign, AURA members can enjoy an exclusive 10% off the StrEATS OF ASIA menu, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the flavors of Asia with an added saving.

With StrEATS OF ASIA, P. F. Chang’s celebrates the diversity of Asian street food, bringing together distinctive flavors, ingredients and culinary traditions in one inviting dining experience. From savory street food favorites to sweet treats, the menu showcases the variety of Asia’s food culture while staying true to the quality and craftsmanship at the heart of P. F. Chang’s pan-Asian dining experience.

StrEATS OF ASIA is available for dine-in from 4 November to 14 December 2026 at P. F. Chang’s restaurants across all markets. AURA members can enjoy an exclusive 10% savings during the campaign.

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Moonrise Welcomes Beihouse for a One-Night Only Collab

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Dubai’s Moonrise and Beirut’s Beihouse are coming together for a one-night-only collaboration in Dubai. The dinner will take place on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, where Chef Solemann Haddad welcomes Chef Tarek Alameddine and the Beihouse team to Moonrise for an exclusive four-hands dinner.

The collaboration brings together two of the region’s highest-ranked dining destinations. Moonrise holds the No. 10 in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 and has retained its MICHELIN star since 2023. Beihouse ranks No. 5 on the same list, earning the titles of Best Restaurant in Lebanon and Highest New Entry. Both chefs have also received One Knife recognition at The Best Chef Awards, with Tarek becoming the first Lebanese chef to receive the distinction in 2025.

While their culinary backgrounds differ, both chefs share a deeply personal approach to cooking, shaped by their upbringing, regional food cultures and a constant curiosity for ingredients and techniques.

Born and raised in Dubai, Solemann has developed his own interpretation of “Dubai cuisine”, bringing together regional ingredients, personal experiences and contemporary techniques to reflect the evolving culinary identity of his hometown.

Tarek’s cooking is rooted in the traditions of Aitat, the mountain village outside Beirut where he grew up surrounded by foraging, seasonal produce and the preservation of ingredients. On the night, guests can expect signature dishes from Beihouse, like the “Transparent Batata Harra”, Kibbeh Nayeh Tartare, and Shawarma with flaky steak.

At Beihouse, Tarek draws on those experiences to explore Lebanese cuisine through its ingredients, flavours and culinary traditions. Fermentation and preservation play a central role, supported by the restaurant’s dedicated research and development kitchen, where familiar ingredients are studied and approached in new ways.

Chef Solemann Haddad, Founder and Chef of Moonrise, said: “What I love about Chef Tarek’s cooking is how much of it comes from the food he grew up with, but he’s taken those ideas in a completely different direction through his work with fermentation and preservation. At Moonrise, I’m always exploring new ways to express Dubai through food. We have different starting points, and I think that’s what makes cooking together exciting.”

Chef Tarek Alameddine, Chef and Co-owner of Beihouse, said: “I grew up watching my grandmother ferment kishk on the rooftop in Aitat. Preserving ingredients was simply part of life, and those memories still shape the way I cook today. Chef Solemann has his own relationship with the food of Dubai, and I’m interested in exploring where our approaches meet. ” The dinner will take place at Moonrise, where both chefs and their teams will work side by side to create an experience specifically for the occasion. 

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