3 days ago
Platable turns surplus into sustainability — and Dubai is eating it up
In a city that never stops innovating, one home-grown start-up is quietly transforming how Dubai eats — and how little it wastes.
Platable, the sustainability-focused app that turns surplus meals into steep discounts, has already rescued over 1.5 tonnes of perfectly edible food in its first few months. With 30 000 users onboarded in just four months, the platform is riding a wave of eco-conscious momentum: diners snag meals at up to 60 % off, while restaurants and grocers turn would-be waste into fresh revenue.
'We built Platable because we watched great food get binned while people hunted for affordable, quality meals,' says founder Salmaan Mohammed. 'We want sustainability to be effortless — and rewarding — for everyone.'
So far, the impact is tangible:
● 1.5 tonnes food diverted from landfill has prevented ≈ 6.6 tonnes CO₂-e emissions.
● Because 64 % of orders are pick-ups (no motorcycles, no fuel), an additional ≈ 1.35 tonnes CO₂ has been spared.
A movement backed by brands
More than 200 outlets — including Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Grandiose and Common Grounds — now list their surplus on Platable, with over 80 brands active every day.
Affordability meets purpose
Every discounted box chips away at the UAE's multi-billion-dirham food-waste bill while putting quality meals within reach of more people.
Aligned with the UAE's sustainability vision
Platable's mission dovetails with the UAE's Food Loss and Waste Reduction Strategy to cut waste 50 % by 2030. The team is already in dialogue with Ne'ma, the national food-waste coalition, and looks forward to collaborating closely to amplify impact across the country.
What's next?
● Expansion – rolling out to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in Q3.
● Deeper impact reporting – real-time dashboards for partners and users.
● Rewards & education – in-app challenges that teach, nudge, and celebrate sustainable eating.
In a city famous for thinking big, Platable proves that small daily choices — like what's on your plate — can drive lasting, systemic change.
