In the densely populated informal settlements of Mumbai, a local waste-for-food initiative led by 27-year-old social entrepreneur Shakti Yadav is combining environmental cleanup efforts with food distribution in communities affected by poor sanitation and limited access to nutrition.

Yadav, founder of the “Buy Food with Plastic” initiative, operates a system in which residents exchange discarded plastic bottles for prepared meals. According to the programme’s operating model, 20 plastic bottles are accepted in return for one hot meal.The initiative, launched in 2020, has so far distributed more than 42,000 meals, supported approximately 4,500 people and conducted sustainability awareness activities involving over 1,000 students, according to figures cited in the report.

Yadav said the project was shaped by his own experience growing up in a Mumbai slum, where seasonal flooding and poor waste management created recurring public health risks.“During the monsoons, sewage water would flood the streets,” he said. “People had to wade through it because discarded plastic choked the drains.”

According to Yadav, blocked drainage systems contributed to repeated outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and malaria, in vulnerable neighbourhoods. His initiative was designed to address what he described as two interconnected urban challenges: unmanaged plastic waste and food insecurity.The programme operates through a circular collection and redistribution model.

Plastic bottles collected from participating residents are transferred to recycling facilities, where some workers are recruited from the same communities supplying the waste. The recycled material is then repurposed into products including flowerpots and tea coasters, which are later sold to companies, including international corporations.

Mumbai, India’s financial capital and one of the country’s most densely populated cities, generates thousands of tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. Plastic waste management has remained a major challenge for urban authorities, particularly during monsoon periods when clogged drainage infrastructure increases flood risks in low-income settlements.

Yadav said the project was inspired by a similar initiative operating in the United States. He contacted the founder of that programme and developed his own local adaptation focused on conditions in Mumbai’s informal settlements.An MBA graduate and the first member of his family to pursue higher education, Yadav initially managed the project while working in a corporate job.

He later left full-time employment to focus entirely on expanding the initiative.The transition initially faced resistance within his family. According to the report, Yadav’s mother questioned the sustainability of non-profit work and believed such efforts were generally undertaken by financially secure individuals or organizations.Yadav said he eventually persuaded her by demonstrating how the programme could simultaneously reduce waste accumulation and improve food access in underserved communities.

The meals distributed through the initiative are intended to support residents in slum areas where access to affordable and nutritious food remains inconsistent. By linking food distribution with waste collection, the programme also attempts to incentivize recycling participation among residents who may otherwise lack formal waste disposal options.

Environmental awareness has become another component of the initiative’s outreach strategy. Yadav and his team regularly visit schools and residential communities to conduct educational sessions focused on sustainability and waste disposal practices.“Previously, nobody told me that throwing plastic away was harmful,” Yadav said, describing the lack of environmental education during his childhood.

The awareness campaigns target younger audiences in particular, with organizers seeking to promote behavioural changes related to littering, recycling and environmental responsibility.The initiative’s visibility has expanded beyond Mumbai in recent years. According to the report, Yadav represented India in Germany during a programme focused on sustainability and climate change research.

He was also awarded the 2023 Cross-Cultural Program Fellowship.The project currently operates in selected slum clusters across Mumbai, although Yadav said he intends to expand its reach across additional parts of the city.Urban policy experts have increasingly emphasized the relationship between waste management, flooding and public health risks in Indian metropolitan regions.

During annual monsoon periods, low-income settlements often experience disproportionate exposure to waterlogging and sanitation failures due to inadequate drainage systems and high concentrations of unmanaged waste.

Plastic waste has become a central issue in municipal governance discussions across India, particularly after several state governments introduced restrictions on single-use plastics and expanded recycling regulations in recent years. Enforcement and waste segregation, however, remain inconsistent across many urban districts.

Programmes such as “Buy Food with Plastic” operate outside formal municipal systems but increasingly form part of localized efforts aimed at combining environmental management with social welfare objectives.The initiative also reflects a growing trend among younger social entrepreneurs in India seeking hybrid solutions that combine recycling, employment generation and food distribution.

By connecting waste collection with direct community incentives, such models attempt to address both environmental and economic pressures simultaneously.Yadav said his long-term objective remains focused on improving conditions within communities similar to the one where he was raised.

“My goal is to eradicate both plastic waste and hunger,” he said.

He emphasized that philanthropy should be seen as a strategic tool, not merely the act of wealthy donors giving money, and that it can act as a catalyst to de-risk and crowd in private investment, particularly in sectors such as technology and social entrepreneurship.

Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and chairman of Gulftainer, noted that philanthropic capital is often underestimated globally, with private philanthropy in the U.S. surpassing $600 billion in recent years and global philanthropy reaching around $2 trillion annually.

He argued that aligning capital across philanthropy, business, and government creates a multiplier effect that can accelerate development and humanitarian outcomes.

According to Jafar, strategic philanthropy helps address pressing challenges including regional conflicts, political extremism, refugee crises, and environmental issues, complementing government aid and development programs.

He also discussed his book, “The Business of Philanthropy: Perspectives and Insights from Global Thought Leaders on How to Change the World,” which features interviews with 50 leading philanthropists including Bill Gates, Kristalina Georgieva, and Razan Al-Mubarak.

The book’s provocative title aims to challenge the business world to learn from philanthropy while encouraging philanthropists to adopt strategic approaches informed by business principles.

Jafar stressed that the combination of public and private capital, when effectively coordinated, can unlock unprecedented opportunities for investment and social impact.

Growing up in Sharjah, Jafar credited his family with instilling a strong sense of giving and responsibility to the community, and he donates all royalties from his book to the International Rescue Committee to support children affected by armed conflict.

He highlighted that modern philanthropy goes beyond charity, acting as a significant part of the global capital system, often regarded as peripheral or viewed with suspicion, but with the potential to address some of the world’s most urgent humanitarian and development challenges.

Moualla was honored with the prestigious Fair Saturday Award during a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, celebrating her transformative vision in promoting culture, sustainability, and social innovation through gastronomy.

ZADK Culinary Academy founder receives prestigious Fair Saturday Award for leadership, innovation, and community development.

The Fair Saturday Award, launched in 2017, is given to inspiring individuals and organizations whose initiatives create measurable social impact through art, culture, and education. It recognizes leaders who have established new models of action aimed at fostering inclusive, fair, and sustainable growth.

The 2025 ceremony also celebrated notable figures including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, journalist and author Martin Wolf, actress Adjoa Andoh, dancer and choreographer Ahmad Joudeh, pianist Joaquin Achucarro, and cultural association Gerediaga Elkartea.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Moualla expressed her excitement and gratitude. “ZADK is more than just a non-profit culinary academy,” she said. “Our goal is to preserve local culture, protect heritage, promote job creation, emphasize sustainability, and drive social transformation. I’m thrilled that our success has now been recognized on the international stage.”

Founded with a vision to harness the power of gastronomy for social good, ZADK Culinary Academy aims to create positive social change through excellence in culinary education and innovation. The academy provides aspiring Saudi chefs and restaurateurs with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to pursue successful careers while nurturing creativity and celebrating local culture and cuisine.

Moualla’s approach goes beyond traditional culinary training. ZADK provides scholarships for qualifying students and offers a variety of programs, including a two-year higher culinary diploma, a one-year associate diploma, a six-month professional certificate, and shorter courses tailored for specific skill development.

These programs equip students with practical experience and theoretical knowledge, ensuring they are ready to meet the demands of the workplace. Employers, in turn, benefit from a highly skilled workforce capable of contributing meaningfully to professional environments.

The academy places a strong emphasis on sustainability and cultural preservation. Students are trained to work with local ingredients, traditional recipes, and innovative cooking methods that honor regional culinary heritage while promoting environmentally conscious practices. ZADK’s curriculum also includes entrepreneurship training, helping graduates build businesses that contribute to local economies and create employment opportunities.

Over the years, ZADK has successfully transformed the lives of countless young Saudis, instilling confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of social responsibility.

By combining culinary excellence with community-focused education, Moualla has developed a replicable model for using vocational training to achieve social impact.

The Fair Saturday Award underscores the global relevance of ZADK’s mission. By linking culture, education, and entrepreneurship, the academy exemplifies how specialized skills can drive meaningful social transformation.

The award also highlights Moualla’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth, where education and training provide pathways for young people to thrive professionally and socially.

In addition to educational programs, ZADK actively engages with local communities to raise awareness about sustainability, nutrition, and cultural heritage.

The academy collaborates with restaurants, cultural institutions, and government organizations to provide internships, workshops, and public events that promote gastronomy as a tool for social good.

Moualla’s work has earned admiration both nationally and internationally for its innovative approach to social entrepreneurship. By combining professional excellence with community engagement, ZADK serves as a model for other educational institutions aiming to create social impact in meaningful and measurable ways.

Looking ahead, Moualla plans to expand ZADK’s programs to reach more regions in Saudi Arabia, providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

She envisions a future where culinary arts serve as a bridge between tradition and modernity, empowering young professionals while preserving cultural identity and contributing to sustainable development.

The recognition at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao marks a significant milestone for Moualla and ZADK Culinary Academy. It affirms the importance of education, culture, and entrepreneurship in driving positive societal change and highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role in fostering innovative social initiatives on the global stage.

Through her pioneering efforts, Rania Moualla has demonstrated that education, culture, and community engagement can be powerful tools for transforming lives, promoting sustainability, and building inclusive societies. Her achievements inspire future generations of Saudi entrepreneurs and social innovators to pursue impactful, purpose-driven careers.