GCC Municipalities Pressured to Reduce Debris Amid Increasing Construction Projects

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9 Dec 2015

Tadweer, the Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi, aims to set regional standards for Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste reduction, as part of the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Master Plan.

According to Waste and Recycling Middle East magazine, most GCC countries rank among the top ten countries worldwide in waste generation per capita, with C&D debris representing the largest proportion of waste in the Middle East. Limited C&D waste management regulations in the region, compared to other countries, has resulted in the accumulation of the C&D waste in landfills.

Experts in waste management say that recycling C&D waste can conserve raw material, energy, and water, as well as reduce the production of greenhouse emissions and other pollutants that can contribute to climate change. C&D waste recycling can preserve natural resources and support the local economy through the marketing of recycled C&D material which is much cheaper and has the same quality as the raw material and can be used in infrastructure projects.

“Construction projects are rapidly increasing in the region with Expo 2020 preparations in Dubai, and the World Cup 2022 to be hosted in Qatar. With these developments, municipalities across the GCC are recognizing the need for robust strategies to minimize the negative impact of large amounts of C&D waste,” said H.E Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Tadweer.

“EcoWASTE 2016 is the ideal platform to bring together waste management experts and innovators from around the world, to share best practices and latest developments with key decision makers in the region,” H.E said.

The Waste Management Master Plan, being developed by Tadweer for Abu Dhabi, includes studies about the best practices, laws and policies related to waste management and the best cost efficient waste processing solutions. The Plan’s outcome will also propose methods to reduce commercial and industrial waste and raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste especially that of construction and demolition.

“The Waste Management Master Plan was established to help position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in waste management and sustainable resource policy development.” said Dr. Salem Al Ka'abi, Deputy General Manager of Tadweer, and Head of the EcoWaste 2016 Committee.

“As part of the master plan, despite the growth in C&D waste that increasing construction projects are likely to cause, we are aiming to reduce C&D waste levels. We hope to demonstrate how efficient C&D waste recycling can have a positive impact on the region’s environment, society, and economy during EcoWaste 2016.”

As part of the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week hosted by Masdar, EcoWASTE, held in strategic partnership with Tadweer, is an ideal platform for fostering collaborations, and pursuing business opportunities pertaining to waste management in the region.

The 2016 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is scheduled to run from 16-23 January, and EcoWaste will run from 18-21 January, co-located with the World Future Energy, and the International Water Summit (IWS), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event is expected to bring together more than 50 exhibiting companies from 17 countries, and more than 4500 trade visitors from the waste industry.