Author Archives: Salman Zafar

About Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of EcoMENA. He is a consultant, ecopreneur and journalist with expertise across in waste management, renewable energy, environment protection and sustainable development. Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biomass energy, biogas, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. He has participated in numerous conferences and workshops as chairman, session chair, keynote speaker and panelist. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability across the globe Salman Zafar can be reached at salman@ecomena.org

Biomass Potential of Date Palm Wastes

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Date palm is one of the principal agricultural products in the arid and semi-arid region of the world, especially Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. There are more than 120 million date palm trees worldwide yielding several million tons of dates per year, apart from secondary products including palm midribs, leaves, stems, fronds and coir. The Arab world has more than 84 million date palm trees with the majority in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates. Egypt is the world’s largest date producer with annual production of 1.47 million tons of dates in … Continue reading →

Everything You Need to Know About Recycling of Plastics

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Disposal of plastic waste has emerged as an important environmental challenge in the Middle East where plastics make up as much as one-tenth of the solid waste stream. In affluent GCC nations, plastic waste composition in municipal solid waste is around 12 – 16 percent. Plastic waste in the region is continuously increasing due to increasing use of plastics in daily life. The Middle East is responsible for about 8 percent of the global plastic production.   Plastic waste is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and ecological damage. Majority of the items found on beaches across the region contain … Continue reading →

4 Quick Ways to Reduce E-Waste in Your Small Business

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The issue of e-waste is one we all need to face up to, and small businesses are in a position to do more to help the environment and also reduce costs in this context. If you’re looking for a fresh approach to minimizing e-waste in a flash, here are some tips to consider following in your own small business. 1. Donate Old Equipment If you own a small business, chances are there’s an abundance of unused tech lying around. Don’t let these items go to waste – donate them instead. You can give away any gently used equipment like desktop … Continue reading →

4 Energy-Saving Gadgets to Save Money on Electricity Bill

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If you are having problems in settling the cost of your electric bills time and time again, the most obvious thing to do is to conserve energy. One of the most common reasons for your electric bill rising significantly is using your appliances recklessly and without thought. To save energy, you must first deal with how to use your appliances correctly and efficiently. If, however, your devices are ‘energy vampires’; machines that use too much energy even without use, then it’s probably time for you to switch gears and buy gadgets or devices that not only is a useful alternative … Continue reading →

How Biomass Helps with Sustainability

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The world is increasingly looking for ways to become more sustainable, and one of the most promising solutions is the use of biomass. Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from organic materials such as plants, animals, and their byproducts. It is often seen as a more sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of using biomass for sustainability. What is Biomass? Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from organic materials such as plants, animals, and their byproducts. For example, wood, paper, crop waste, … Continue reading →

How Do I Know What Method Of Shipment Is Best For Me?

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When it comes to cargo, selecting the right method of shipment can be challenging. Considering the perilous situations your goods may have to go through, you need to be cautious when picking the appropriate mode of transport to ensure safe and timely freight delivery. With so many options available, it can take time to determine which one is best for your particular situation. To help you make the best decision, here are some tips on knowing which shipment method is the best for you. Type of Goods Start by considering what type of goods you are shipping. Different shipping methods … Continue reading →

The First Competitive Advantage in Real Estate is Property Research

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Why Property Research Comes Before Speed, Capital, or Negotiation In addition, most investors aim to maintain their advantage in real estate either on speed, capital or negotiation skills. Although such factors do matter, they are rarely what distinguishes consistent winners from the rest. The real benefit shows itself much earlier in the process. The first competitive advantage in real estate is property research, defining where investors deploy capital (and how they assess commercial opportunities), and whether to act decisively or with trepidation. Many investors take the first steps to build this foundation by learning data sources and insights through resources … Continue reading →

5 Innovative Air Pollution Projects Developed by Students

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Pollution is a ubiquitous problem in the present-day world, and it is rising continuously all around the globe. Amongst all other kinds of pollution, such as water, land, and sound, air pollution has a profound impact on every living organism present on the earth. We inhale many toxins and pollutants along with oxygen while breathing, which can cause severe health problems and can even lead to an untimely death. Developing countries face more pollution-related health problems as compared to developed countries. However, students alongside scientists are working hard to protect our home planet from air contamination and its hazardous effects. … Continue reading →

Solid Waste Management in Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia has been witnessing rapid industrialization, high population growth rate and fast urbanization which have resulted in increased levels of pollution and waste. Solid waste management is becoming a big challenge for the government and local bodies with each passing day. With population of around 29 million, Saudi Arabia generates more than 15 million tons of solid waste per year. The per capita waste generation is estimated at 1.5 to 1.8 kg per person per day. More than 75 percent of the population is concentrated in urban areas which make it necessary for the government to initiate measures to … Continue reading →

How Environmental Engineering Has Improved Environmental Condition

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It is common knowledge that the environment is not at its best now nor has it ever been for the past decades. Unfortunately, people have been deliberately negligent of their environmental responsibilities. With many abusive and irresponsible acts against the environment, resources are seriously depleted. Without conscious awareness about the adverse effects of environmental abuse, the planet may be uninhabitable in the years to come. As experts see the need for reform and to counteract the abuses done by many, various corrective actions are put in place. Tactical strategies and methodologies are created to correct what needs to be corrected … Continue reading →

3 Apps for Students to Maintain Well-Being in College

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Nothing is more important for a student than taking care of their mental health. With a big pile of homework, terrifying exams, and a lot of other responsibilities, life for a student can get overwhelming. As a college student, you need support, and one of the ways to get it is to download an application, which is an easy task to do. However, searching for the apps yourself can give you even more stress. First, you need the exact names and then time to test the application and figure out if it’s a good solution. Luckily, other people have already … Continue reading →

Practical Home Improvements for Healthier and Cleaner Indoor Spaces

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When you’re trying to maintain a healthy home, the details matter. If you have cracks, gaps, or other small openings in your home, they are an invitation for dust, dirt, and animals to take up residence indoors. You’ll start to notice this problem through diminished air quality and dust build-up. Fortunately, making some key changes can translate to a healthier environment. Read on as we explore practical home improvement for cleaner indoor spaces. Replace Old Window Seals Your windows face a lot of wear and tear from the outdoor elements. And when you’re constantly opening and closing them in the … Continue reading →