UAE’s Largest Recycling Operation Capable Of Reducing Waste By 40% In Abu Dhabi

The largest and only dedicated cardboard recycling operation in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing Company LLC (ADPMCL), has stated that massive benefits can be bought into the local economy by greater local production of OCC materials. Green Arabia (Al Dhafra Waste Collection LLC) – which is the waste collection arm of ADPMCL – aims to reduce waste directed to landfills by 40%, aiming to target all cardboard and paper for its operation. Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing LLC is a joint venture between M.A.H.Y Khoory & Co. and Queenex.

“As an Emirati and locally-owned entity, we aim to make a significant contribution to the Abu Dhabi economy in line with its Vision 2030 to build a circular economy,” commented Salahuddin Sharafi, Chairman, Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing Company, LLC. Green Arabia (Al Dhafra Waste Collection LLC) collects and also imports old used cartons in order to manufacture kraft liner and fluting that is supplied to local box manufacturers and also exported to other countries. Currently such used cartons are also exported out of Abu Dhabi and we as a local mill then have to import waste from outside.  Helping local recyclers will reduce import of waste from other countries and in turn help us produce finished goods that are currently imported from other countries. This will help the local economy to increase their GDP.

The biggest factor affecting waste management efforts is the amount of cardboard and paper that is exported outside of Abu Dhabi to external entities, creating massive implications for the carbon footprint of waste in the UAE. This generates unnecessary greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as fuel is burned transporting waste paper out of the Emirate for recycling, and then back again as a purchased product. If the paper was instead diverted locally to ADPMCL; this would drastically reduce the carbon footprint of waste paper by the ton. A positive shift in mentality towards recycling in Abu Dhabi negates the need for additional primary paper production operations, which conserves both water and energy. Recycling has many benefits including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These benefits are realized when compared to producing raw paper products.

Each ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 360 gallons of water and 60 pounds of air pollution. A greater emphasis on recycling will save an enormous amount of space and resources that the government could divert to other projects, thus promoting a healthier and circular economy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Huzaifa F. Rangwala, Deputy General Manager of Green Arabia (Al Dhafra Waste Collection LLC, Abu Dhabi) added: “Currently more than half of the raw materials that our factory processes are being imported from outside of Abu Dhabi, and this is due to the raw material exportation from the Emirate to other countries. Green Arabia envisions the UAE as a leader in cardboard and paper production, and the first step towards this is managing our own waste effectively.

Green Arabia is the recycling arm of Al Dhafra Paper Manufacturing LLC, which is a joint venture between M.A.H.Y. Khoory & Co. & Queenex. M.A.H.Y Khoory & Co. is one of the oldest companies in the UAE founded in the 1930s; and a pioneer in regard to paper recycling in the Middle East.