The second edition of ECOWaste, a key platform dedicated to showcasing next generation waste management and recycling solutions, marked its successful completion at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre having attracted 50 local and international companies along with 2,000 buyers and specialists from the waste management and recycling sectors. The four-day event was organised as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week from January 19th to 22nd.
Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager, Tadweer (Centre of Waste Management), said, "ECOWaste 2015 has been a huge success, thanks to the diversity of associated events and the record turnout of visitors as well as exhibitors and industry experts whose number exceeded 2,000 this year. With the success of this edition, ECOWaste has now reinforced its position as an ideal platform to explore the latest technologies and exchange ideas and best practices in integrated waste management towards achieving the objectives of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030." The eco-friendly event included a meeting of GCC Municipalities that was attended by key representatives of various GCC municipalities. Discussions focused on critical issues related to the environment and sustainable development including integrated waste management, integrated pest control management, as well as production and joint marketing of recycled products throughout the GCC.
The event also hosted a ceremony to honour the winners of the 2nd Tadweer Environment Awareness Award for Schools and Universities. The award distributed prizes worth Dh76,000 in 12 categories and attracted students from elementary, intermediate and secondary schools as well as public and private universities.
During ECOWaste 2015, Tadweer set up an awareness pavilion that received a large number of students from various schools and universities. The pavilion educated participants and members of society about the key objectives and activities of Tadweer. In addition, Tadweer's environment guides conducted workshops for children to highlight the importance of public hygiene, environmental safety and the efficient use of black and green waste bins for waste segregation. Experts were on hand to outline optimal waste and natural resource utilisation methods to promote waste reduction at source.
ECOWaste 2015 also included the Buyers Programme that hosted leading investors in the waste management sector from across the GCC and facilitated over 150 meetings and agreements for potential business transactions.
The Centre of Waste Management is tasked with the collection, maintenance, transportation, and processing of waste management services in a safe, efficient and economically-viable manner in Abu Dhabi. To achieve its goals, Tadweer implements integrated systems and sustainable models that comply with the best international standards.