The Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) has signed five operations contracts worth over AED2 billion ($540 million) at EcoWASTE 2023 Exhibition and Forum, which concluded on January 18. 

 

The contracts, which were signed with Alphamed Abu Dhabi LLC and Terberg RosRoca Vehicle Manufacturing, Beeah Sharjah Environment Company LLC, Averda Waste Management LLC, and JV Lavajet Al Ain/Nael & Bin Harmal Hydroexport LLC (NBHH), cover solid waste collection and transportation services, public cleaning services in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and waste containers management and maintenance in Abu Dhabi.

 

The 6-year contracts aim to make a big leap in the quality of services and environment-friendly services by providing electrical equipment for waste collection and transportation, cleaning services for main roads and automatic sweeping, and training programmes for employees to ensure that their work complies with international standards.

 

Enhancing sustainable waste management

The contracts were signed as part of Tadweer’s commitment to foster partnerships that contribute to enhancing sustainable waste management and maintaining a clean and healthy environment in Abu Dhabi.

 

Tadweer is also exploring cooperation opportunities in transforming solid municipal waste selectively into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the potential of converting waste into fuel and sustainable chemical materials. The company also signed a MoU with Beeah Sharjah Environment Company LLC to explore new cooperation opportunities for waste management overseas.

 

Eng Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer, said: “Tadweer is constantly seeking to cooperate and establish partnerships with global stakeholders, to exchange best practices, success stories and innovative solutions for the sector. Through these partnerships, we aim to join our efforts and utilise the best practices to overcome waste management challenges, by raising the public’s awareness, and addressing challenges related to waste collection, transportation, and treatment.”

 

Massive success

Al Dhaheri added: “The 9th edition of EcoWASTE was a massive success. It was attended by experts and specialists in waste management, who explored the leading role of the GCC countries and the UAE in promoting the trend towards a circular economy. It was also an opportunity to discover solutions to overcome the waste crisis in the Mena region, raise the public’s awareness about the sector and encourage them to protect the environment by reducing waste.”

 

Roundtable of UAE and GCC municipalities

On the sideline of EcoWaste 2023, representatives of UAE and the GCC municipalities proposed the establishment of a joint committee to exchange best practices, success stories, challenges and innovative solutions in the region’s waste management sector.

The proposal came during a roundtable for the UAE and GCC municipalities, organised by Tadweer, which was chaired by Eng Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer, and attended by representatives of municipalities and waste management experts in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. 

 

The roundtable covered cooperation opportunities to achieve sustainable waste management and invest in the sector to support regional economic growth.

 

Participants in the roundtable highlighted the importance of enhancing coordination among GCC municipalities, and establishing a team of specialists to learn from global best practices in waste management, and carry out programs and initiatives to prepare for hosting the COP 28 conference. In addition, they proposed the establishment of a joint committee to exchange best practices in the waste management field.

 

Challenges for GCC

The roundtable addressed the challenges facing GCC countries in the waste management sector, and the efforts required to overcome the increase in the volume of waste due to the ongoing urbanisation of cities in the region. Participants also highlighted the steps which have been taken to address these challenges in the region.

 

Al Dhaheri said: “Tadweer plays a key role in supporting sustainability by reducing the amount of waste disposed in landfills, investing in advanced technologies and solutions, and recycling waste by utilising available resources, in accordance with the best standards and practices. 

 

“As part of ADQ, the company is committed to leading the change in waste management, providing an integrated waste management system in the Emirate, and supporting the energy and facilities sector. This can be achieved by executing innovative projects and initiatives and utilising the latest technologies to realise the nation’s ambitions to adopt a circular economy.”

 

Panels

A range of panels were held during EcoWASTE 2023, which featured speakers from Tadweer and addressed a variety of relevant topics, including promoting the circular economy through practical approaches with real benefits, the role of governance to ensure a thriving circular economy, converting waste into hydrogen, and introducing structure to recycling approaches through tech and apps. 

 

Ibrahim Al Ali, Director of the Strategic Planning and Policies Department at Tadweer, participated in the ‘Waste Management Strategies’ panel, where he highlighted the company’s waste management strategy and focus areas during the coming period. Some of these areas include attracting more direct foreign investments, and reducing the diversion of waste to landfills.

 

Eng Abdul Mohsin Mubarak Al Katheeri, Director of the Projects and Facilities Department at Tadweer, delivered a presentation under the title ‘Waste Management Projects and Facilities’ in which he discussed the waste recycling projects that were carried out by the company.

 

Highest standards

Marwan Al Marzooqi, IT Director at Tadweer, spoke about the application of technology in monitoring the operations and performance of the companies that have signed contracts with Tadweer, to ensure that all services are provided in accordance with the highest standards and practices.

 

Furthermore, a session titled “The Future of Waste Operations,” by Mark Woods, Senior Advisor at Tadweer, highlighted the company's main priorities in the upcoming period, which include improving operations by updating the existing infrastructure and establishing strategic partnerships to ensure the employment of best practices in this field. 

 

The session also focused on enhancing capabilities through cooperation with regulatory authorities to facilitate governance, achieve the ambitious goals of the waste management sector, and elevate Tadweer’s position as a hub for excellence.-- TradeArabia News Service