Business & Money | Tuesday 28 May, 2019 12:06 pm |

Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) has acknowledged four Abu Dhabi-based entities that annually generate more than 250 tons of waste for their outstanding efforts in minimizing waste production at source through adopting the latest technologies and best practices in integrated waste management.

At a special event, Tadweer honored Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) alongside Al Diar Dana Hotel, NMC Specialty Hospital, and Agility Engineering & Contracting Company.

Launched in 2013, Tadweer’s initiative to recognize companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to waste reduction aligns with its priority to promote innovative waste management programs that support the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Integrated Waste Management Plan. The plan aims to minimize commercial and industrial waste in the emirate in a phased manner with the active participation of major waste producers.

Among the honorees, EGA developed a successful and cost-effective waste recycling model. The company has been collaborating with leading UAE-based cement manufacturers since 2010 to reuse spent pot lining, a major waste stream of aluminum smelting. Last year, EGA provided cement companies with more than 41,000 tons of spent pot lining for use as an alternative fuel and raw material, more than it produced, making EGA a world leader in the re-use of this waste. Using SPL as an alternative feedstock also reduces CO2 emissions from cement manufacturing.  Overall, last year EGA achieved a 15 percent reduction in waste generation and increased its recycling from 96,000 tons in 2017 to over 102,000 tons in 2018.  It also diverted 34 percent more of waste from landfill compared to 2017.

His Excellency Dr Salem Al Kaabi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center, said: “This initiative aligns with Tadweer’s plan to address the continued rise in waste production due to rapid population growth and urban expansion in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Achieving our key objective of minimizing waste at source while mitigating pollution and other adverse environmental impacts of waste production requires collective efforts at all levels.”

He added: “We are pleased that our endeavors have received a positive response from commercial and industrial entities operating in Abu Dhabi. We hope such initiatives will continue to motivate them to implement innovative and environment-friendly waste management and recycling solutions while supporting sustainable development in the emirate.”

​​Tadweer launched a tariff system for waste-producing companies in the commercial, industrial, tourism and service sectors in accordance with Law No. 21 of 2005 concerning waste management in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 for the protection and development of the environment, and the Decision of the Executive Committee No. 15 C 21/2010 on the system of imposing tariffs on waste in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Accordingly, any establishment operating in the emirate of Abu Dhabi must obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) from Tadweer for licensing and pay a tariff based on its estimated annual waste production, currently set at AED225 per ton.

Waste tariffs are among the universally adopted methods to encourage waste reduction at source. Through introducing this measure, Tadweer aims to protect the environment in the emirate of Abu Dhabi from the increasing negative impact of waste production. In March 2013, the center rolled out the second phase of the tariff system, applicable to establishments generating more than 250 tons of waste per year. These companies are also required to submit a waste reduction report prior to their license renewal.