The United Arab Emirates is making strides towards reducing the amount of waste generated in the country. In 2019, the UAE generated more than 1.6 million tons of municipal solid waste and it's only getting worse: The United Nations Environment Program estimates that global waste generation will increase by 75% by 2050. With such a growing problem on their hands, many countries in the Middle East have had to make environmental sustainability a priority for future development plans. However, with limited resources available to tackle such an enormous task, how can these countries effectively reduce their environmental impact?
One way to help manage this issue is through education programs that encourage residents to change their habits and dispose of trash responsibly—such as recycling programs at schools or public restrooms with bins specifically designed for used toilet paper (and not using plastic bags at supermarkets). But another solution is through introducing innovative technologies like AI-enabled bins that can sort distinct types of waste automatically based on its molecular structure (such as separating plastic or metal cans from paper bottles), which makes sorting easier, so people don't have to deal with this problem themselves! This article will explore some ways that the UAE has set to achieve higher waste management efficiency and how Power Bear by German Distribution can help reduce waste output through innovative products like Mr. Fill & Bin-E Smart Compactor Bins or ORCA Aerobic Food Digesters and how they can apply these products here in the Middle East region.
Waste is a mounting problem for the UAE
As the UAE's population grows, so does its waste. The UAE's waste generation has been steadily growing over time and this trend will continue if economic development continues to occur at its current pace. However, if nothing changes, the UAE’s existing waste disposal infrastructure may be unable to keep up with this growth.
The current infrastructure cannot cope with more than a few million tonnes of solid waste every year; however, by 2025 this estimate could rise to 7-10 million tonnes per annum! Additionally, there is a lack of innovative recycling facilities in place, apart from the upcoming Dubai Waste Management Centre (aiming to convert waste to energy) and most of the country's landfills are nearing its capability or have already reached full capacity which means that landfill-bound waste may eventually be transported out of the country for disposal elsewhere.
Effective Waste management added to Dubai's Vision 2030 as a priority
The UAE has made noteworthy progress in reducing its waste generation and improving recycling efforts, yet they recognise that there will always be room for improvement. In 2015, the country’s total Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation was approximately 1.6 million tonnes per annum—and this number has only grown as more people moved into the country.
The UAE's Environmental Agency had set a goal of increasing recycling rates from a marginal 10% to at least 40% by 2021 and have been supporting all entities that contribute to the effort. The agency also ideated an aim to reduce organic waste sent to landfills by 80% during the same period. Currently, organic waste makes up about 52% of all garbage generated across Dubai and Abu Dhabi alone! In addition to that, they initiated methods for all non-organic MSW to be recycled or composted.
Raising public awareness to tackle mobility and climate change
The UAE has made great strides in its efforts to become a more sustainable country. However, we still have a long way to go. It is important for the public to be aware of how their actions affect their environment, especially when it comes to waste management.
The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the impact of waste on the environment and supply information about recycling and other methods of reducing environmental pollution. A campaign can be launched that encourages people who live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates to sort their waste correctly so they can help reduce pollution and save money.
Innovative technologies are essential to solving UAE's waste disposal problems
While the UAE has taken important steps to improve its waste management efforts, it is true that technology enabled solutions may very well be ground-breaking to solving UAE's waste disposal problems. Innovative technologies such as AI, IoT and Blockchain may be able to bridge gaps in the country's infrastructure.
For example, AI can be used to detect pollution levels in groundwater faster than humans can and reduce the amount of time people spend waiting at hospitals or airports by scheduling appointments automatically online. This frees up staff members' schedules so they can focus on other tasks such as helping patients cope with their illnesses or providing advice about healthy eating habits—two things which can help indirectly reduce the amount of littering in cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In 2019, the UAE generated more than 1.6 million tons of solid waste. This translates to a staggering average of over 10 kg of municipal solid waste per person every day. The national recycling rate in the UAE is about 15%, which is lower than the global average (about 30%) and far below other countries that have invested heavily in waste management infrastructure like Germany (over 50%).
In addition to these challenges, there are also several sources of waste generation that need to be addressed. Industries such as construction and manufacturing are a major catalyst for environmental pollution and waste generation across UAE.
Power Bear by German Distribution, in Dubai Investment Park 2, have been working closely with government entities and waste management companies to help tackle existing waste management challenges. Power Bear’s innovative products for effective waste management and recycling are helping many institutions in the UAE achieve their goals of becoming sustainable, environmentally friendly operations.
Power Bear has introduced innovative technologies that help support Dubai’s Environmental Planning, Vision 2030 and other efforts towards reducing carbon emissions. The green distribution program focuses on using natural resources more efficiently by stimulating innovation for smarter solutions for sustainability initiatives. Its goal is to create an economically practical ecosystem in which all stakeholders can thrive – from producers to customers – while reducing pollution at source.
ORCA Aerobic Food Digester
A self-contained system, ORCA Aerobic Food Digester is a bacterial ecosystem that can be installed in any environment which produces massive quantities of edible food waste. The system transforms food waste into organic effluents through an aerobic digestion process induced by the bacteria present inside the compartment.
The process is similar to how our own bodies digest food. The bacteria breaks down the food inside the digestive systems into simpler compounds that are then released as waste products. This process occurs at room temperature, which makes it even more efficient than traditional composting methods.
Mr. Fill Smart Solar Compactor Bins
Mr. Fill Smart Solar Compactor Bins are designed to help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. These bins feature a multilevel compaction system that allows you to fill them with up to 60% more waste than traditional bins, which in turn becomes less trips to the dumpster and less money spent on waste disposal services. This means no more struggling with heavy dumpsters full of garbage bags after hours until your next pickup day arrives.
These compactor bins are made from durable steel, and they can be customised in an array of colours or even wrapped to suit your brand identity. Mr. Fill Smart Compactor Bins are great for outdoor use for your office building or public places because you can choose between two varied sizes, 120 Ltr & 240 Ltr. It is easy for users to open and close the bins lids thanks to the weatherproof stainless-steel aperture and the galvanised foot pedal.
Bin-E AI enabled self-sorting recycling litter bin
Bin-E is a self-sorting recycling litter bin. It can be used in any public space and can sort waste into distinct categories, making it easier for you to recycle. Bin-E uses AI and machine learning to sort the waste into the right bins. Bin-e is exceptionally useful to educate the mass as the inbuilt display provides visual feedback on what kind of waste it can hold, its fill level and more.
Power Bear by German Distribution can introduce innovative products to help tackle UAE’s waste management issues through public awareness campaigns and changing people’s behaviours towards disposing of solid waste. As one of the leading manufacturers of waste management products, German Distribution is helping UAE tackle their solid waste disposal issues through public awareness campaigns, changing people's behaviours towards disposing of solid waste, and introducing new innovative technologies.
Dubai’s current waste management process is overcoming its perils from its earlier elevated levels of contamination. To combat this issue and meet environmental sustainability targets set out by the Dubai Municipality (DM), Power Bear by German Distribution can offer a range of smart systems that are being trialled across Dubai including ORCA Aerobic Food Digester, Mr. Fill Smart Compactor Bins, Bin-E AI enabled self-sorting recycling litter bin.
We hope that this article has given you a better idea of how German Distribution LLC can help tackle UAE’s waste management issues. If you’re interested in learning more about Power Bear by German Distribution or any of our other products, please contact us today!
