People need to focus more on waste management

Dubai: With recycling still in its infancy in the UAE due to low incentives and a drop in the value of recyclables since late 2008, the volume of waste is growing across the country and is threatening the environment and public health, a waste management company from Sharjah has said.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone create 3.5 million tonnes of domestic waste annually while Dubai is responsible for 9 million tonnes of construction waste every year.

New recycling laws are urgently needed as waste levels soar exponentially from year to year, and each emirate is risking losing its ability to handle it without damaging the environment, said Averda chief executive officer, Malek Sukkar.

The UAE currently generates approximately 16 million tonnes of waste per year with a recorded 15 per cent year-on-year growth since 2004, according to figures from Averda, a Lebanese environmental services company, which recently took over Al Ghadeer Waste Collections Company (GWC).

Around 10 million tonnes of that waste is split fairly equally between residential and commercial waste per year.

"The region can no longer sustain growth at any cost. The UAE must play its part in tackling environmental issues which, increasingly, do not respect geographical borders. Beyond the larger issue of global warming is the health of our local population. From minimising occupational hazards in the workplace through to keeping public spaces clean and safe for children to play in, waste must first be managed ‘resourcefully'," said Sukkar.

"We use this word deliberately to recognise that the resources to create new products are becoming scarce. Likewise, the profligate use of ‘disposable products' inflicts environmental damage that can be avoided. Which is why we must raise public awareness about the crucial need for recycling,"

New laws

He added: "We are preparing to lobby the government to promote the necessity of establishing new recycling laws. This is part of a long-term plan that will involve us in the enforcement of any new recycling legislation. It is also important to establish a general public policy and establish targets," he said.

GWC is planning to introduce liquid waste collection, transportation and treatment, according to GWC's managing director, Alan Thomson. Currently the company provides municipal solid waste collection and transportation for the Sharjah Industrial Areas, free zones, airports, seaports and other public and private organisations. "We're also looking at niche markets, such as electronic waste and clinical waste disposal," said Thomson.

Averda plans to introduce reverse-vending machines in the UAE, placed in supermarkets and other locations. The company has also developed an educational programme called Averda Learn in which employees make regular visits to schools and universities. Students are invited to see the processes at the facility.

Volume: Figures for each emirate in tonnes per year

- Ajman: 182,500

- Fujairah: 55,000

- Ras Al Khaimah: 110,000 of domestic waste + 110,000 of construction waste;

- Um Al Quwain: 45,000

- Sharjah: 1,000,000 of domestic waste + 1,800,000 of construction waste + 350,000 of industrial waste;

- Dubai: 2,500,000 of domestic waste + 9,000,000 of construction waste;

- Abu Dhabi: 1,000,000 of domestic waste.