* Multi-faceted three-day event aims to promote circular economy and help address Middle East region’s huge waste dilemma by exploring technology and other innovative approaches
* Running from January 16-18, the UAE and GCC Waste Management Forum will also help further develop a sustainable waste management system in the region
Abu Dhabi, UAE, December xx, 2022: Tadweer, Abu Dhabi’s waste management centre, has announced the launch of the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum, a new dedicated platform set to take place from January 16-18 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and coinciding with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
As part of ADSW, the leading event for future energy and sustainability, EcoWASTE will promote transformation towards a circular economy, prompt participants to explore the GCC’s innovative approach to sustainable waste management and explore game-changing solutions to address the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) waste dilemma.
“This multi-faceted event will cover various fields, including recycling, waste management, and treatment in the MENA region,” said Engineer Ali Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Tadweer’s Acting Director General. “It will be an integrated platform for developing and formulating practical and sustainable waste management practices, pursuing climate initiatives, and pushing towards adopting a circular economy by supporting the development of necessary policies, technologies, solutions, and frameworks.
“The event will support us in confronting future challenges and achieving sustainable economic development, which is a strategic UAE priority as the nation moves towards adopting a circular economy model and attracting the latest innovative technologies for sustainable waste management. It is a unique opportunity to research and uncover the latest waste management innovations and technologies needed to create a better world.”
The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum comes as the MENA region confronts a mammoth waste dilemma, which the World Bank estimates will double to 255 million tonnes a year by 2050 amid ongoing urbanisation across the Arabian Gulf.
“While the MENA region faces a genuine waste crisis, it also boasts huge opportunities to seize the initiative,” said Al Dhaheri. “It can embrace the potential of the circular economy to create new revenue streams and investment opportunities for existing businesses and start-ups across multiple sectors, as well as progress sustainable development and boost employment while massively reducing the region’s carbon footprint.”
At the exhibition, Tadweer – which produced more than a million tonnes of recycled waste material products in the first half of this year – will highlight best practices from its sustainability initiatives. These include 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. Prominent exhibitors will include Italy’s Dulevo International, Denmark’s Eldan Recycling, ATI Industries of France, the US-owned BTS Biogas SRL, and Serbia’s Plastik Gogic.
Meanwhile the forum will host prominent keynotes, case studies, and panel discussions that deep dive into disruptive approaches to creating new value from waste, waste management techniques and technologies, landfill diversion strategies, waste-to-energy studies, and various approaches to phasing out single-use plastic.
It will also feature the UAE & GCC Waste Management Forum – a high-level GCC municipality think tank to further the region’s sustainable waste management practices. A powerful panel of industry leaders includes representatives of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Unilever.
“Uniting local, regional and global experts in recycling, reuse, re-manufacturing, waste management, and waste-to-energy industries to share best practice knowledge, this ground-breaking Forum will unleash ample new business opportunities,” said Al Dhaheri.
The Director General said the event will contribute towards stimulating investments, exchanging expertise, and establishing partnerships with top local, regional, and international companies to unify sustainable development efforts and spur pre-emptive steps to deal with current and potential waste management challenges.
“This will contribute to a positive shift in the societies around us and ensure a healthier environment for future generations,” he said. “As we continue to enhance Abu Dhabi’s integrated waste management system via best-in-class solutions and innovative technologies, we look forward to engaging with the wider industry and adopting best-practice from regional and international disruptors.”