- Aluminium Recycling Coalition launched at EGA in presence of His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
- Coalition members include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.
Emirates Global Aluminium and leading beverage producers, can-makers and waste management companies, announced the launch of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, which aims to drive a step-change in aluminium recycling in the UAE.
The coalition was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah in presence of His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
Members of the coalition include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.
Aluminium plays an essential role in the development of a more sustainable society. The metal’s properties are ideal to make everything from packaging to lightweight electric vehicles, and aluminium is infinitely-recyclable.
Around the world, aluminium is the most-recycled material, with more than three-quarters of the aluminium ever made still in use today.
The Aluminium Recycling Coalition aims to promote aluminium recycling by UAE consumers, particularly beverage cans - as millions of individual decisions every day on which bin to use drive collection rates.
As its first project, the coalition intends to support a study by the International Aluminium Institute on aluminium recycling rates and behaviours in the UAE, to fully understand the scale of the opportunity and potential solutions. The International Aluminium Institute is the global trade association for the aluminium industry, and is conducting similar studies around the world.
The coalition also expects to provide support to Government on aluminium recycling regulation and policies, and to work together to further the development of aluminium recycling infrastructure.
Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by between 50 per cent and 80 per cent by 2050, because of the key role of this infinitely recyclable material in achieving net zero. Cooperation throughout the value chain, such as the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, will speed the decarbonisation of our economy in line with the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. I wish EGA and the other members of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition every success in their collective endeavour.”
His Excellency Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer), said: “We are delighted to be a partner of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition founded by EGA, and are excited to usher in the next era of aluminium recycling in the UAE through concentrated efforts. Recycling and circular economy are both key pillars of our country’s ambition towards prosperity. For us at Tadweer, this is also part of our commitment to support national platforms that support sustainability and raise awareness on the importance of recycling in the UAE.”
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Recyclability is one reason aluminium is so important for human progress, but every day as a society we throw too much of this valuable metal away. By championing the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, EGA aims to increase aluminium recycling rates in the UAE to the benefit of our society and economy. I thank all our partners for joining us in this initiative.”
EGA was the first Middle East headquartered company to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, a global body that sets sustainability standards for the industry. EGA is a global aluminium industry leader in the re-use of by-products from its own operations.
Last year, EGA announced a project to build the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling facility.
Malgorzata Podrecka, Group Legal, Sustainability & PR Officer, CANPACK, said: “CANPACK is delighted to join the prestigious Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE as we believe it is only through collaboration that we will be able to achieve a lasting, positive, and meaningful impact on the environment and society. By working together, we know we will be better able to tackle climate change, promote a circular economy, improve local communities, and ensure that the UAE’s aluminium industry is economically sustainable and here for the long-term. Put simply it is a fantastic opportunity to institute positive change across the country and to lead globally on sustainability-related issues.”
Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, said: “Signing today’s MoU and joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is a great honour and affirmation of Coca-Cola’ concerted efforts to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging across its beverage portfolio. By joining key decision-makers, industry leaders, and advocates for aluminium recycling, we are confident that our global learnings and expertise will lead to sustainable and impactful change across the UAE, which aligns with our vision of raising awareness by working with local partners.”