DUBAI — December 18, 2023 — In a significant step towards enhancing environmental sustainability in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) has formalized its commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC). This strategic partnership was inaugurated during the prestigious COP28 conference held in Dubai, aligning with global efforts to tackle the escalating crisis of plastic pollution.
MoU to Explore Waste Management Solutions in Saudi Arabia
On December 2, 2023, the Alliance and SIRC entered into a collaborative agreement designed to align with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision of achieving a remarkable 94 percent landfill diversion rate by 2035. This MoU aims to pave the way for a robust circular economy within the Kingdom, specifically targeting the pressing challenges associated with municipal solid waste (MSW), with a concentrated focus on plastic waste management.
The collaboration seeks to address inefficiencies across the entire value chain, including the critical processes of collection, sorting, and recycling plastic waste. This initiative reflects a significant move towards sustainable waste management practices, which are not only methodologically essential but also crucial for the Kingdom’s long-term environmental strategy.
At the signing ceremony, notable figures such as Ziyad Al Shiha, CEO of SIRC, and Justin Wood, Vice President and Head of EMEA at AEPW, emphasized the potential of this partnership. Al Shiha highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to redefining its waste management landscape, while Wood noted, “The level of ambition to improve waste management in the GCC is impressive, giving the Alliance a strong basis to contribute its resources in the pursuit of a circular economy for plastic.”
Launch of Yalla Return: A Pioneering Project in the GCC
In conjunction with the MoU, the Alliance has also announced its first regional project partnership with Yalla Return, a technology-driven recycling initiative developed by Nadeera Technologies. This pioneering project seeks to enhance recycling rates across various communities in the Middle East through a combination of behavioral change, digital engagement, and state-of-the-art waste management infrastructure.
Yalla Return currently serves a growing user base of 26,000 across 80 communities. By integrating gamification elements into the recycling process, the initiative employs a mobile application and smart waste bins, while QR-coded recycling bags encourage community participation. Users are rewarded for their recycling efforts, thereby fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.
Rabih El Chaar, CEO of Nadeera, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are proud to launch this project with the support of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and look forward to expanding our reach to 27 additional communities across the UAE.” This venture represents a vital effort to bridge the gap between technology and sustainability, ultimately aiming to increase community engagement in recycling activities.
Accelerating Innovation to Combat Plastic Waste
In addition to its partnerships, the Alliance has been instrumental in fostering innovation in the field of plastic waste reduction through the End Plastic Waste Innovation Platform. Over the past three years, this initiative, a collaboration with Plug and Play, has successfully accelerated over 160 startups across the value chain, with investments exceeding 5 million. This has culminated in the execution of more than 220 commercial pilots aimed at developing sustainable waste management solutions.
The recent inauguration of the eighth hub of the End Plastic Waste Innovation Platform in Riyadh signifies the Alliance’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial solutions within the Middle East. During a Selection Day event, eight promising startups were chosen for acceleration, including beaee_sa, Bekia inc, Live Love Recycle, RePlaste, ReFuse, Terrax, TileGreen, and Verofax. These startups represent a diversity of innovative approaches to the plastic waste dilemma, reflecting the Alliance’s dedication to cultivating a new generation of problem-solvers in this crucial domain.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste’s initiatives and partnerships illustrate a promising trajectory in the fight against plastic pollution within the GCC. As the region grapples with significant environmental challenges, these collaborations underscore a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and effective resource management. Through strategic alliances like those with SIRC and Yalla Return, the Alliance aims to foster a circular economy that not only addresses plastic waste but also promotes a cleaner, greener future.
As the world increasingly grapples with the consequences of plastic pollution, the need for effective waste management solutions has never been more imperative. The efforts made through these collaborative agreements could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar environmental challenges.
Tags: #BusinessNews #EnvironmentNews #Saudi #UAE