UAE | Environment
New German technology could rid Dubai of waste
A team of German scientists say they have developed the technology to rid Dubai of waste, including plastic bags, forever.
- By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:31 April 6, 2008
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- Plastic bags such as these washed up on the banks of the Dubai Creek create a bad impression of the city for tourists and are a growing environmental threat.
Dubai: A team of German scientists say they have developed the technology to rid Dubai of waste, including plastic bags, forever.
The city has been targeted as an ideal strategic location for "Ecocycling", a revolutionary new concept developed by scientist Franz Philip.
The process involves turning waste, both household and toxic, into a raw material that forms the basis of a new product that can be used in the construction or oil industry.
The new technology could transform plastic bags from being an environmental menace into a substance with many benefits. Gulf News has been campaigning against the use of plastic carriers and is urging people to say "No to Plastic Bags".
Waste-free
Michael Engelhardt, Managing Director of Clean Planet Limited, the company with exclusive distribution rights to the pioneering technology, said the UAE had the opportunity to become the first waste-free country in the world.
"We have invited Techno Park, a subsidiary of Dubai World, to come and view this absolute zero-waste technology. It would have tremendous benefits for everyone living here and the impact of future developments on the tourism industry would be fabulous. It would dramatically change the city's environmental situation."
"Ecocycling" is a cold mineralisation process where waste is torn apart and molecules are encapsulated in the resultant silicate structure.
Numerous materials can be developed from C.M500. It can be used as a basis for road construction, desert greenery or to produce "Xment", a product much harder than standard cement that can be shaped, like plastic, if "Xfibre" is added.
C.M500 can also be used as a revolutionary new oil binder because the mineral sucks up sludge when poured on to an oil spill. Data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) shows the UAE has between 30 and 40 million tonnes of highly toxic and dangerous oil sludge.
Engelhardt said "Ecocycling" was a much better alternative to dumping, incineration and normal recycling.
He said: "Waste in Dubai is being dumped in landfills in the desert. It has become a huge problem because the landfills are located in important development and residential areas.
"This technology would particularly benefit Dubai as it already has a very severe waste problem that will only get worse as the population continues to grow."
A test plant is currently in operation in Wurzburg, near Frankfurt, and they are awaiting final approval from the German government.
ECOCYCLING
This is how it works
"Ecocycling" is a cold mineralisation process where waste is torn apart and molecules are encapsulated in the resultant silicate structure. The waste is transformed into a mineral called C.M500, a non-toxic product suitable for applications in the construction or oil industry.
Household waste, including plastic, is put through a huge shredder and reduced to small pieces about 10 centimetres in size. Ferrous and non-ferrous metals are separated before the waste goes through a grinder to reduce it even further.
Toxic waste is then added to the household rubbish, which produces a chemical reaction. "Magic powder" containing nine basic additives is the final ingredient added to the mix. The process, which has no effect on the environment, creates the mineral C.M500.
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