About us

The Story Behind RePlate: Turning Waste into Worth
Zaira and Amir, with unique backgrounds and a shared vision, founded RePlate, a revolutionary solution tackling food waste while providing affordable gourmet meals to those in need.
Amir's Perspective: A Regular at Buffets, Aware of the Waste
Amir, with roots in both the UK and Palestine, has been living in Dubai since launching his successful EdTech startups—Smartella and Learncity. His work allowed him to enjoy long-term hotel stays, where he often indulged in the hotel buffets as part of his daily routine. However, he couldn’t help but notice how much food was left untouched by guests.
He learned that this surplus food was thrown away due to the perceived risks of donating it to the needy—health concerns and food safety issues being the main reasons. This practice bothered Amir, especially as he had encountered many people struggling in Dubai, like laborers and workers who would rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to enjoy a meal from such a lavish spread.
Zaira's Perspective: From Humble Beginnings to Tackling Food Waste
Growing up in the Philippines, Zaira learned the value of every grain of rice, instilling a deep respect for food and resourcefulness.
Moving to Dubai in 2018, Zaira was struck by the stark contrast between her values and the abundance of food waste she witnessed.
Zaira's first attempt to address food waste through bacteria-based composting technology proved costly and difficult to scale.
Realizing the need for a more sustainable and scalable solution, Zaira began exploring innovative ways to tackle food waste in Dubai.
A Shared Vision Takes Shape
Amir's Perspective
As a successful EdTech entrepreneur from the UK and Palestine, Amir frequently indulged in hotel buffets. He couldn't ignore the vast amounts of untouched food being discarded, conflicting with his awareness of those struggling to afford meals in Dubai.
Zaira's Expertise
Zaira brought her experience in sustainability and community impact from her roles as founder of iBoard Living and an Industrial Engineering lecturer. Her deep understanding of food waste issues and innovative solutions proved invaluable.
The Partnership
When Zaira and Amir met in 2023, their complementary skills and shared passion for tackling food waste while helping those in need led to the birth of RePlate, a groundbreaking solution for Dubai's unique challenges.
RePlate: Bridging the Gap Between Waste and Need
Reduce Food Waste
RePlate repurposes untouched surplus food from 5-star hotel buffets, significantly reducing food waste in Dubai's hospitality industry.
Safe Repackaging
We ensure all repurposed food is safely repackaged, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and food safety for our customers.
Affordable Gourmet Meals
By offering these meals at affordable prices, we provide access to high-quality food for those who might otherwise never experience such cuisine.
Environmental Impact
RePlate's innovative approach not only feeds people but also significantly reduces Dubai's environmental footprint, creating a more sustainable future.