Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Putting environmental preservation at the core, the UAE is spearheading recycling initiatives with community involvement amid a rise in waste levels globally.
The UAE’s waste management practices comprise energy conversion, sewage treatment, hazardous waste regulation, marine pollution prevention, and reducing plastic usage, among others.
Here is a brief overview of the major environmental preservation endeavours in the country.
Top among the sustainability initiatives are the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) policy to reduce single-use plastic and the Dubai Government's tariff of 25 fils on single-use bags used for carrying goods to limit their use.
Waste Management Strategies
In the capital, Tadweer Group is intensifying efforts to strengthen the emirate's recycling infrastructure.
On the front lines of sustainable waste management, Tadweer Group prioritises sustainability in all its initiatives.
Tadweer’s Recyclable Material Collection Centers initiative aims to enhance recycling infrastructure for Abu Dhabi’s residents through 44 Recyclable Material Collection Centres.
The centres process 16 varieties of waste and are strategically distributed across the emirate, with plans to expand to an additional 100 centers by the end of 2025.
As for Dubai Municipality, it has constructed the Middle East's largest solid waste conversion facility in Warsan.
The Municipality distributed 100 smart plastic packaging containers and established 17 public collection centres.
Moreover, the Municipality launched a social initiative to promote recycling and reduce waste impact.
Furthermore, it has implemented a waste management strategy since 2012, focusing on "My City… My Environment" across 16 subregions.
It has partnered with Imdaad, a leading integrated facilities management company, to raise awareness among schoolchildren about recycling and environmental protection.
In Sharjah, BEEAH Recycling, the waste processing and material recovery business of BEEAH Group, focuses on zero-waste strategies and waste recovery.
Its Waste Management Centre operates advanced recycling facilities, including the material recovery facility, construction and demolition waste recycling facility, tyre recycling facility, metal recycling centre, industrial wastewater treatment plant, biomass facility, and commercial and industrial facility.
Environmental Initiatives
Moving into environmental organisations, since its inception in 1991, Emirate Environmental Group (EEG) has focused on environmental preservation through education, action programmes, and community engagement.
Throughout the year and across the UAE, the group conducts a wide range of collection campaigns and recycling initiatives, integrating United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into its campaigns.
EEG is committed to environmental protection, collecting various materials such as paper, plastic, glass, aluminium-cans, toner-cartridges, mobile-phones, e-waste, and scrap metal.
Additionally, the Environment Friends Society (EFS) established in 1991, aims to promote environmental protection and awareness.
With 33 years of volunteer work, it allocates 70% of its focus on school students through the Future Leaders Initiative and prioritises women's participation.
It has 25 strategic partnerships, and it also offers initiatives like paper recycling to reduce deforestation.
In the corporate sector, Veolia, renowned globally for environmental services, has launched RECAPP, the UAE's premier digital recycling solution, facilitating free home pickup and tailored business offerings.
By promoting the circular economy, the service involves stakeholders including the UAE Government, petrochemical companies, packaging and food and beverage industries, retailers, and consumers.
Aimed at diverting 75% of UAE's waste from landfills by 2030, the initiative promotes sustainability and aims to reduce waste generation.
