World's largest e-waste recycling plant to come up in Dubai

Enviroserve UAE, a global leader in the delivery of niche waste and environmental solutions, has signed an agreement with Dubai Wholesale City for the construction of a 228,000 sq ft electronics and specialised waste recycling plant at Dubai Industrial Park, the dedicated industrial hub within the City. Backed by the Swiss Government Export Finance Agency, the Dh120 million ($33 million) project represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in the field of environmental management in the UAE. The facility will serve as the region’s largest centre of expertise for electronic waste management in the Middle East, stated Abdulla Belhoul, the chief executive of Dubai Wholesale City, after signing the deal with Stuart Fleming, Group CEO of Enviroserve UAE. A first plant-of-its-kind, it will recycle the entire range of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment - from consumer and industrial to commercial and military appliances, such as air conditioners, batteries, IT equipment, household appliances, military avionics and mobile phones. In addition, it will recycle specialised waste material, such as aerosol cans and lightbulbs, to become the only dedicated refrigerant reclaim facility in the UAE. Expected to commence operations by end-2017, Phase One of the plant will comprise hitech equipment to process 39,000 tons of electronic waste annually, said Belhoul. "At Dubai Industrial Park, we strongly support environment-friendly solutions as part of our strategic commitment to promoting sustainable manufacturing and socially responsible practices," he noted. Belhoul pointed out that with a growing number of business partners setting up operations in its integrated mega hub, this innovative recycling facility will add significant value to advancing sustainable and organic development in the community. “Our partnership with Enviroserve UAE demonstrates how our world-class infrastructure and allied services help our clients seamlessly adapt to new market conditions and opportunities. We are confident the project will spearhead the development of a sustainable electronic waste management market in the region,” he added. On the partnership, Fleming said: "Our new integrated recycling plant will be a true game-changer in electronic and specialized waste recycling for Dubai and the wider Middle East region. Utilizing best-in-class technology, the iconic facility will elevate the sustainability movement in the region." A pioneer in innovation in the recycling sector, Enviroserve UAE offers sustainable solutions that strictly adhere to UAE regulations, international standards established by the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as and the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. Enviroserve’s decision to set up the hitech recycling facility at Dubai Wholesale City comes at a time when a UN-sponsored research project has indicated that the average UAE resident produces 17.2 kg of e-waste each year,