Recycling efforts in Dubai communities 'will not work without incentives'

Dubai: More than 70 tonnes of paper and cardboard have been collected and recycled since January at The Gardens, Nakheel's gated community in Jebel Ali, the developer's spokesperson said.

More than 1,000 colour-coded recycling bins had been set up in the community of 14,000 residents for its Recycle it! programme. It has also set up similar bins on Palm Jumeirah and the International City.

In April alone, more than 45 tonnes of paper and cardboard and more than 26 tonnes of recyclable plastics, glass and metal were collected, it claims, noting "otherwise these materials would have been disposed off in a landfill."

According to Lars Radberg, managing director of Nordic House, which set up recycling units at Emarat petrol stations, such a programme will never work without a financial incentive.

He advocates an addition of 25 fils more per can or bottle which can be refunded when returned. "Emarat's recycling effort has so far failed," he said.

The per capita generation of waste in the UAE of 1,400 kg per year is the highest in the world, said Radberg. The recycling bins at bus stations in Jumeirah create more carbon emissions as trucks have to stop and pick up the trash every 100 metres, he said.

Residents at the Lakes and Springs said they have seen people dump cans in the paper bin if the can bin is full.