Recycling, for the most part, has remained a purely private sector initiative within the Middle East, driven solely by economic considerations. Aside from a few small-scale pilot projects and the informal efforts of those foraging for cans and bottles, no real attempt has been made within the region to implement programs to control waste generation, manage waste disposal, or implement recycling, until now.
GCC countries, with 120 million tons of waste generated per year currently ranking them in the Top 10 of world waste producers, have only recently started responding to their responsibilities and the growing need for waste management.
For a country that has historically maintained an apathetic attitude toward the preservation of nature, the UAE finally appears ready to tackle the environmentally destructive toll that rapid economic expansion has taken. The World Bank estimates the UAE will invest some $46 billion over the next decade in environmental and pollution control projects.
Various municipalities in the UAE are either commencing their own programs, or engaging with private companies for joint ventures. The planning and realization of new capacities for waste treatment in the UAE is finally evolving into something effective and absolute.
Extensive plans for the future are already manifesting themselves on the ground. Last month, Abu Dhabi became home to the forth of ten proposed recycling centers to be opened by The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (Taqa), in collaboration with Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). The partnership plans to open an additional six centers across the rest of the UAE in the coming months.
Amongst several other interesting and ambitious initiatives is Abu Dhabi’s pioneering project: a zero-carbon, zero-waste urban center. Masdar city will produce no carbon dioxide and will recycle its waste to create energy. The carbon-neutral community is expected to open its green doors — and hopefully set a precedent — in 2009.
