GCC CIRCULAR ECONOMY LEADERSHIP TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT ABU DHABI’S ECOWASTE EXHIBITION AND FORUM

Abu Dhabi, UAE – October XX, 2022: The GCC’s pioneering leadership in driving forward the US$ 1 trillion circular economy will take centre stage at the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum, co-located with the World Future Energy Summit 2023, which runs from January 16-18 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

EcoWASTE participants will explore the GCC’s innovative approach to sustainable waste management, and game-changing solutions poised to help address the MENA region’s waste dilemma, which the World Bank estimates will double to 255 million tonnes a year by 2050 amid ongoing urbanisation across the Arabian Gulf.

Uniting local, regional and global experts in recycling, reuse, re-manufacturing, waste management and waste-to-energy industries to share best practice knowledge, the ground-breaking EcoWASTE platform will unleash ample new business opportunities, according to its organiser and host, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center – Tadweer.

“While the MENA region faces a genuine waste crisis, it also boasts huge opportunities to seize the initiative and embrace the circular economy, which has the potential to create sustainable development and boost employment while massively reducing regional carbon footprint,” said H.E. Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer.

“Aligning with Abu Dhabi’s strategy to promote sound waste management, boost sustainable recycling initiatives, and convert waste into environment-friendly products that contribute to the local economy, Tadweer has produced more than one million tonnes of products made from recycled waste materials during the first half of 2022,” added Al Kaabi.   

“As we continue our efforts to enhance the integrated waste management system of the Emirate by adopting best0-in-class solutions and innovative technologies, we look forward to engaging with the wider industry at EcoWASTE and absorbing best-practise from region and international disruptors.”

During its three-day run, EcoWASTE will spotlight circular economy-based revenue streams and investment opportunities for existing businesses and start-ups across multiple sectors. The Forum will host prominent keynotes, case studies and panel discussions that deep dive into disruptive approaches to create new value from waste, technology for waste management, landfill diversion strategies, waste-to-energy studies, the end of single-use plastics and improved waste management techniques. It will also feature the UAE & GCC Waste Management Forum – a high-level GCC municipality discussion on ways to further the region’s sustainable waste management practices.

The GCC currently generates between 105 and 130 million tons of waste a year, primarily from Municipal solid waste, construction and demolition, and agriculture. According to a report by Boston Consulting Group in collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, US$ 60-85 billion must be invested across plastic, concrete, cement, metal, and bio-waste value streams over the next 20 years to realise GCC waste management and landfill diversion targets.

“While the potential crosses all verticals, realising the opportunities requires collaboration between investors, the public sector, and private enterprises. As a purpose-built platform to brainstorm the way ahead, EcoWASTE will build on measures already taken throughout the GCC to outlaw single-use plastic, inject sustainability and Environmental, Social and Government ethos into public and private procurement and build public awareness for conscious consumption,” said Leen AlSebai, head of the World Future Energy Summit, which is organised by RX Middle East. 

“One of the event’s main goals is to bring Middle East innovators to a global audience, and to further cultivate collaboration the EcoWASTE exhibition will feature a targeted Sustainability Business Connect buyers’ programme for Municipalities, environment ministries, recycling companies, business groups and investors. We anticipate a slew of cooperation initiatives to result from VIP and technical tours for selected key regional stakeholders.”

At the exhibition, Tadweer will showcase best practices from its sustainability initiatives, including state-of-the-art hazardous waste treatment, replacing waste bins, launching electronic auctions for selling recyclable waste, and supporting residential recycling and agricultural collection points. Other prominent exhibitors include Italy’s Dulevo International, Denmark’s Eldan Recycling, ATI Industries of France, the US-owned BTS Biogas SRL and Serbia’s Plastik Gogic.

Another of the UAE’s leading waste management companies, Sharjah-based BEEAH Group, will will promote its latest commercial and industrial waste recycling facility, along with other robotics and AI systems at EcoWASTE, according to its group CEO, Khaled Al Huraimel.

“At the World Future Energy Summit, BEEAH will explore industry collaboration with like-minded partners to accelerate Sharjah’s zero waste plans to landfill goals. Our new facility automatically detects, identifies, and separates different types of waste. At full operational capacity, the plant will process around 156,000 tonnes of mixed recyclables annually, translating to approximately 500 tonnes of daily waste.”

Elsewhere, Italian-based Dulevo International outlined plans to leverage EcoWASTE to build on its existing networks. “I'm looking forward to meeting attendees and public works managers to outline our wide range of versatile, market-leading sweepers from Dulevo, Ravo, Scarab and Mathieu,” said [name], [designation] at Dulevo International. 

“As a service-oriented industry leader that's fully focused on this market, EcoWASTE is a custom platform to buildstrong relationships that will help grow efficiencies across the Middle East waste management market,” added [last name].  

The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum is co-located at World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, and runs in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center – Tadweer. 

For more information on the event and how to be involved, please visit www.ecowaste.ae