The issue of how to manage waste is not a new one. Tackling the vast amounts of it that countries generate is a task for no one nation. Global waste is projected to reach 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, growing more than twice as fast as the global population.
This points to the urgent need to tackle waste and the challenges of recycling.
The shift from a linear to a circular economy continues to dominate the waste management conversation. At the heart of this transition are the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. To measure progress, however, it is crucial to collaborate with international partners and establish metrics and universal baseline measurements to implement a circular economy.
Insights from the 2025 edition of the EcoWaste conference held in January in Abu Dhabi underscored the importance of embedding sustainability at the design stage of products and infrastructure to improve the rates of reuse and recycling.
Importantly, the role of people and public engagement in waste management is evolving from passive awareness to active participation
In the UAE, projects such as Masdar City are constructed with low-carbon cement and use 90 per cent recycled aluminum. This goes to show how design decisions at an early stage can reduce emissions and increase material reuse. Such efforts reflect the broader objectives of the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031, which is a blueprint for sustainable development in the region. On the global stage, the Netherlands is leading the charge in Europe with its commitment to achieving a fully circular economy by 2050.
According to the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor, annual e-waste generation is projected to increase by 2.6 million tonnes each year, reaching an estimated 82 million tonnes by 2030 – a 33 per cent rise from the 62 million tonnes recorded in 2022. Alarmingly, this growth is occurring five times faster than the documented rates of e-waste recycling.
Addressing this challenge requires collaboration to drive innovations in e-waste recycling, such as automated sorting and chemical recycling, to meet the UN's goal of achieving a 60 per cent recycling rate by 2030. The UAE is taking a leading role, with Enviroserve, the region's first integrated e-waste processing hub, capable of recycling up to 39,000 tonnes annually.
On the global stage, companies such as Apple are setting examples with scalable solutions like the “Daisy” robot, which disassembles old devices to recover rare materials. Concepts such as these illustrate how cutting-edge technologies can help tackle the growing e-waste crisis.
Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies are key solutions for reducing landfill waste and generating clean energy by converting non-recyclable waste into electricity and heat.
In the UAE, Tadweer Group leads the development of the world’s most advanced WtE facility, set to process 900,000 tonnes of waste annually and reduce carbon emissions by 1.1 million tonnes a year. This will set new benchmarks for WtE energy in scale, efficiency, and environmental impact. Similarly, the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant processes 300,000 tonnes of waste annually, powering over 28,000 homes, while the Warsan Waste Management Centre can generate 220 megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually, which can power 135,000 residential units.
Countries such as Sweden have refined WtE processes to the point of importing waste for energy generation. It just highlights how WtE technologies can drive the future of sustainable waste management and clean energy.
With traditional waste collection fleets contributing to urban emissions, waste collection systems are being transformed to align with decarbonisation goals. Electric and hybrid waste collection fleets are gaining traction, and biofuels are being explored as viable alternatives to diesel.
At last month's EcoWaste conference, the UK's Greater Cambridge councils outlined their innovative approach to decarbonising their refuse collection fleets. Their strategy includes the adoption of electric refuse vehicles, the use of solar-powered depots, and investment in biofuel alternatives to speed up their journey towards net-zero emissions. These initiatives collectively highlight the growing commitment to integrating clean energy solutions into waste management, thus trying to ensure a greener and more sustainable urban future.
Importantly, the role of people and public engagement in waste management is evolving from passive awareness to active participation. Part of this change is due to innovative solutions such as reverse vending machines (RVMs), which incentivise recycling by rewarding users for returning bottles and cans.
Their adoption has gained momentum globally, and are being used widely across Dubai and Abu Dhabi with more installations anticipated this year. Globally, countries such as Germany and Norway set the benchmark for RVM adoption, achieving recycling rates exceeding 90 per cent. These systems demonstrate the critical role people play in sustainability efforts. Emerging trends such as RVMs – enabled by the Internet of Things – are set to streamline public participation.
As we look to 2025, it is clear that addressing the global waste challenge requires a multifaceted approach. Guided by its ambitious Net Zero 2050 Strategy, the UAE leadership in sustainability demonstrates what is possible when innovation, policy and public engagement converge. The World Future Energy Summit and the EcoWaste exhibition point to the nation’s efforts to this end. By investing in circular economy strategies, leveraging emerging technologies, and fostering global collaboration, the world can turn waste into opportunity.
Tadweer Group, part of ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based holding company, is promoting sustainable waste practices and establishing new benchmarks for the circular economy. The company’s vision is aimed at revolutionising waste management by unlocking the value of waste.
As the sole custodian of waste management in Abu Dhabi, Tadweer Group is committed to using advanced technologies and fostering strategic partnerships in support of the UAE's sustainability objectives, working towards its goal of diverting 80 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste away from landfills by 2030.
Besides its commitment to Abu Dhabi, Tadweer Group has ambitious international goals. It's striving to make significant contributions to sustainable waste management even beyond the UAE.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
Scoreline
Chelsea 1
Azpilicueta (36')
West Ham United 1
Hernandez (73')
Napoleon
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The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Results:
5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
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Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
