Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (Adnec) said it has joined the Abu Dhabi sustainability group in line with plans to seek new systems and processes that help in reducing its environmental impact.

The agreement signed with the sustainability group confirms Adnec’s commitment to developing innovative solutions and initiatives to promote sustainability standards across the business, said a senior official.

Khaled Al Hashmi, Adnec’s chief operating officer, remarked: 'Joining the Abu Dhabi sustainability group will no doubt help Adnec implement new sustainability guidelines. The company will develop and launch internal initiatives which will increase awareness of the importance of sustainability.'

'We are constantly seeking new systems and processes that allow us to reduce our environmental impact. Our use of innovative technology helps us make great strides each year and Adnec today has become a case study of success in the UAE,' Al Hashmi noted.

' Sustainability is an integrated part of what we do, not an afterthought. We encourage all organisations around the UAE to approach it in the same way,' he added.

In 2012 and 2013, Adnec will implement a number of sustainability initiatives. In 2011 the company has made great progress in translating its commitment to sustainability into measurable action at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, particularly in recycling.

The Abu Dhabi company saw a 124 per cent year on year increase in the amount of waste recycled in 2011, totalling 282,094 kilograms, supporting its status as an environmental leader in the UAE.

The waste recycled in 2011 meant an equivalent saving around 4,200 trees, 93,670 gallons of oil, 986,000 kilowatts of energy, 1.73 million gallons of water and 739.5 cubic yards of landfill, said Al Hashmi. 

'Adnec achieved these results by promoting recycling throughout the venue and by extending the range of waste categories it is able to process. The company already recycled five different types of waste in 2010; cardboard, plastic cans and films, aluminium cans, paper and scrap metal.'

'In 2011, Adnec began offering glass, printer cartridge and battery recycling  which greatly contributed to its achievement. Another huge contribution to the decrease in waste produced in 2011 was the recycling of gypsum board, which is widely used in exhibition stands and would otherwise be discarded post-show,' he added.

Mohammed Al Jowder, member of the General Secretariat of the of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group, welcomed Adnec and said that they will work closely together to achieve the group’s goals in spreading awareness about sustainability in Abu Dhabi.

'In order to become sustainable, organisations can adopt [sustainability management practice], an integrated and systematic management tool for economic, social and environmental performance,' he stated.

Nabil Jaber Al Yafeai, environmental  and cleaning manager, said: 'Adnec has instigated an environmental task force with representatives from across the company meeting on a regular basis to discuss new ideas.'-TradeArabia News Service