The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is leading global efforts to deliver the USD 1 trillion circular economy, particularly in sustainable waste management, industry experts said today. The comments come ahead of the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum, hosted by Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center – Tadweer and co-located at the World Future Energy Summit 2020 in Abu Dhabi.

Driven by population growth, the amount of waste generated across the Middle East and North Africa is expected to double to 255 million tonnes per year by 2050, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, as economies across the world increase measures to recycle, reuse, and re-manufacturing, the World Economic Forum predicts a USD 1 trillion market opportunity for the circular economy, which could create 100,000 new jobs by 2025.

The United Arab Emirates, through the World Economic Forum’s “Scale 360” circular economy initiative and the UAE Vision 2021, aims to divert 75 percent of waste from landfills.

Supporting regional and global waste reduction targets and initiatives, the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum will bring together leading exhibitors and speakers across the recycling, waste management and waste-to-energy industries to advance new business opportunities and share best practices.

The Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center – Tadweer, as the Strategic Partner for the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum, will showcase how their partnership with other government organisations is supporting state-of-the-art waste management and the circular economy.

The GCC’s government-led strategies and investment in embracing the circular economy are paving a bright path for sustainable waste practices that can be shared worldwide. The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum showcases how integrated waste management can drive sustainable economic growth, protect the environment, and ultimately enhance the quality of people’s daily lives.

At EcoWASTE, Tadweer will showcase best practices from its sustainability initiatives, including state-of-the-art hazardous waste treatment, replacing waste bins, launching electronic auctions for selling recyclable waste, and supporting residential recycling and agricultural collection points.

Prominent EcoWASTE exhibitors will also include Bee’ah, Dulevo International, and Eldan Recycling. One of the main goals of the EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum is to bring Middle East innovators to a global market, such as the Saudi Arabia-based hazardous waste management company Environment Development Company (EDCO).

“As the Middle East faces more demand in waste management, advanced and up-to-date technologies and methods are required to transport, treat, and dispose of hazardous waste, especially those from industrial facilities including oil refineries,” said Abdul Wahab Al Ahmari, CEO, Environment Development Company (EDCO). “EcoWASTE has proven to be a unique and distinguishable platform for EDCO to grow our business in the Gulf Region, and emphasise the importance of the efficiency and feasibility implemented on every step of the waste treatment and disposal being done by EDCO in hazardous waste management.”

Multi-national companies, such as the Italy-headquartered Dulevo International, will also showcase their innovations. Dulevo International is one of the world’s top five manufacturers of sweepers for commercial, industrial, and urban cleaning, and is active in over 80 countries.

“The Middle East’s growing sustainable waste management market is supported by the upgrading of street sweepers, industrial sweepers, and man-on-board and walk-behind waste management vehicles,” said Mario Pepe, Global Sales Director, Dulevo International. “The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum is key for Dulevo to expand our cleaning business, especially in showcasing our first all-electric cleaning machines to clear litter and enhance air quality.”

During the EcoWASTE Forum, from 13-16 January, visitors can attend keynotes and panels on topics such as: the circular economy, creating new value from waste, the nexus of technology and waste management, rethinking landfill diversion strategies, waste-to-energy case studies, and removing single-use plastics to improve waste management.

“The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum is the key platform for waste and sustainability business leaders to engage with new customers, and showcase innovative products and technologies that can make a difference for the environment and communities,” said Grant Tuchten, Group Event Director, World Future Energy Summit. “The event will highlight how organisations, cities, and countries can leverage the latest innovations to divert waste from landfills, support recycling programmes, and create a more sustainable future.”

The EcoWASTE Exhibition & Forum will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit, hosted by Masdar and part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global platform for accelerating the world’s sustainable development.

The World Future Energy Summit will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), from 13-16 January 2020. The largest event of its type in the Middle East and among the largest in the world, the World Future Energy Summit attracted 800 exhibitors and 33,500 attendees in 2019. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week will be held from 11-18 January 2020.