Conference focus on waste management

Dubai Municipality will participate in the World Environment Congress and Exhibition to be organised by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) in Istanbul, Turkey, from July 7 to 13.

The Municipality delegation led by Engineer Hassan Makki, Assistant Director of Environment Department and Head of Waste Services Section and consisting of Essa Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Head of Operations Unit, Deira, left for Istanbul on Friday.

The Municipality will present a work paper in the conference on the "Progress in Waste Management in Dubai."

The conference, organised in co-operation with the Bogazici University, Turkish National Committee on Solid Wastes and Kriton Curi Environment Foundation, will focus on appropriate environmental and solid waste management and technologies for developing countries.

ISWA is the biggest professional organisation in the world specialised in the field of waste management.

It organises the world congress on waste management annually with the participation of more than 500 representatives from 50 countries.

The annual congress is a platform for exchanging expertise on waste management, strategies for dealing with waste, environmental system, waste treatment techniques, and environmental awareness, programmes for waste reduction and recycling.

The Municipality is the single organisation to participate in the conference representing Arab nations.

It is also a matter of pride to get the work paper approved for this conference. Dubai's work paper will be officially included in the conference book, which is a first of its kind achievement for an Arab nation.

ISWA is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit association, organising conferences and specialised seminars for the maximum exchange of information and experience worldwide on all aspects of solid waste management.

The Municipality work paper discusses the management options, which have been considered for various waste streams such as Medical Waste, Hazardous Waste, Scrap Tires and Construction and Demolition Waste.

It highlights successful implementation of policies and strategies for these streams. Case studies are also presented of steps taken to improve the quality of municipal solid waste collection services such as optimisation of waste collection vehicle utilisation or productivity.

"Over the years, Dubai has flourished into a modern cosmopolitan city and gateway to business, tourism and trade in the Middle East region.

"In responding to the impacts and pressures from rapid growth in industry, trade and urbanisation, the need to ensure the general cleanliness of the city and the protection of public health and the environment has resulted in Dubai Municipality's waste management service evolving from a simple operation to a modern and sophisticated service encompassing the general objectives of sustainable waste management," said the paper.

"Faced with unique challenges such as the transient populations during various tourist festivals and a resident multi-national population, the waste management service has progressed through the implementation and enforcement of legislation, policies and strategies.

"In order to meet the demands of a modern society demanding high quality, efficient and effective service, the development of strategies has always been a dynamic process involving periodic reviews, evaluation and planning," the paper pointed out.