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

Waste-to-Energy Outlook for the Middle East

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High-income Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait are counted as world’s largest waste producers in terms of per capita waste generation which is more than 2kg per day in some countries. The urban waste generation from the region has now crossed 150 million tons per year which has forced policy-makers and urban planners to seriously look for sustainable waste management solutions, including recycling and waste-to-energy. Let us take a look at solid waste generation in major countries across the Middle East region: Country MSW Generation (million tons per annum) Saudi Arabia 15 United Arab Emirates … Continue reading →

Ruba Al-Zu’bi – Inspiring Green Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

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Ruba Al-Zu’bi is a very well-known sustainable development policy and planning expert, and a true inspiration for youngsters in Jordan and beyond. Currently she is the Adviser for Science Policy and Programme Development to HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, the President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS). Prior to that, Ruba led the Scientific Research Department at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation. In the past, she had been the CEO of EDAMA, a Jordanian business association that seeks innovative solutions to advance the energy, water and environment sectors. Ruba Al-Zu’bi is Global Resolutions’ Jordan Ambassador and a Plus Social Good … Continue reading →

A Quick Glance at Composting Methods

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The composting process is a complex interaction between the waste and the microorganisms within the waste. The microorganisms that carry out this process fall into three groups: bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are a form of fungi-like bacteria that break down organic matter. The first stage of the biological activity is the consumption of easily available sugars by bacteria, which causes a fast rise in temperature. The second stage involves bacteria and actinomycetes that cause cellulose breakdown. The last stage is concerned with the breakdown of the tougher lignin by fungi. Types of Composting There are 3 broad types of composting methods—anaerobic composting, aerobic composting, … Continue reading →

Biomass Energy Potential in the Middle East

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The major biomass producing countries in the Middle East are Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Traditionally, biomass energy has been widely used in rural areas for domestic energy purposes in the Middle East region, especially in Egypt, Yemen and Jordan. Since most of the region is arid or semi-arid, the biomass energy potential is mainly contributed by municipal solid wastes, agricultural residues and industrial wastes. According to conservative estimates, the potential of biomass energy in the MENA region is about 400TWh per year. Municipal solid wastes represent the best source of biomass in Middle East countries. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, … Continue reading →

From E-Waste to Circular Commerce: How Sustainable Omnichannel Fulfillment Is Reshaping Electronics in the MENA Region

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In 2025, e-commerce across the Middle East and North Africa generated an estimated US$88.1 billion in revenue, with electronics accounting for roughly a third of that total, according to ECDB. Every phone, laptop, tablet, and smart device sold represents not just a transaction but the beginning of a waste lifecycle. The question facing the region isn’t whether electronics consumption will keep growing. It will. The real question is whether the infrastructure to handle what happens after the sale can keep pace. For years, e-waste discussions in MENA have focused on recycling centres and consumer awareness campaigns. Those matter. But an … Continue reading →

Energy Outlook for the Middle East

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There are several problems confronting the world with respect to its fossil fuels-based energy supply. The first problem relates to the ever-increasing use of fast-depleting conventional sources of energy, like petroleum, coal and natural gas. The contribution of fossil fuels in global energy supplies is above 80 percent. Energy demand will certainly increase manifolds during this century due to industrial and developmental activities as burgeoning world population. Global Trends in Energy Sector The concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is rising rapidly with use of fossil fuels leading to increasing emission of carbon dioxide which is having a … Continue reading →

Oman Botanic Garden Marks the First International Day of Botanic Garden Education

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Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) joined botanic gardens and arboreta around the world in marking the first International Day of Botanic Garden Education, observed on 12 June 2026, a global initiative that highlights how botanic gardens connect people with plants and inspire action for conservation and sustainability. Learning and community engagement from the start From the outset of its early development and well ahead of its official opening, OBG is delivering learning and awareness activities that connect diverse audiences with Oman’s native flora and habitats through inclusive, hands-on experiences. OBG is engaging schools, universities, community groups, people with special needs, public … Continue reading →

When is a Damaged Vehicle Worth Repairing Versus Recycling?

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If the repair bill is creeping close to what the car is worth, you are already in decision territory. In 2025, the average repair cost climbed to about $4,768, according to research from CCC Intelligent Solutions. That number matters because if your car is only worth $6,000, a single major repair can wipe out most of its value. So the real question is not “Can it be fixed?” but “Should it be fixed?” Repair Or Recycle The Financial Reality Insurance companies make this decision every day, and they usually follow a percentage rule. If repairs reach roughly 50 to 70 … Continue reading →

What is Cash Flow Lending for Green Startups

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Every single day, there are dozens of eco-entrepreneurs pitching traditional banks only to discover that legacy commercial credit models remain completely blind to asset-light business structures. Traditional lending relies on real estate deeds or heavy factory machinery to back a business note, leaving software-driven climate firms and cleantech consultants stranded. Venture capital offers an alternative, but trading away equity to cover basic operational overhead eventually dilutes your vision and your control. Cash flow lending addresses this structural mismatch by evaluating your underwriting health strictly on trailing revenue velocity and historical bank deposit consistency rather than physical collateral. Unlocking Capital without … Continue reading →

How Sustainable Manufacturing Practices Can Reduce Waste and Improve Efficiency

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If you are struggling with shrinking margins and operational inefficiencies, sustainable manufacturing can be a practical way to reduce waste, lower operating costs, and improve production efficiency without sacrificing output. Sustainability is not merely a parallel environmental program; it is a core operational strategy designed to lower long-term operating expenses and improve production efficiency. By using materials more carefully, avoiding unnecessary downtime, and improving product quality, you tackle process waste. Small improvements in equipment use, energy management, maintenance, and workflow planning can create measurable results. What are Sustainable Manufacturing Practices? Sustainable manufacturing practices are active processes that help produce goods … Continue reading →

A Message on World Environment Day

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The World Environment Day implores us to appreciate the beauty of nature and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. The World Environment Day invites you to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to experience and cherish this vital relationship. People and Nature The World Environment urge us to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it. It challenges us to find fun and exciting ways to … Continue reading →

The Geolocation Revolution That Crypto Investors Are Starting to Notice

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For years, cryptocurrency investors focused primarily on blockchain innovation, token economics, and market cycles. Recently, however, some market observers have begun paying attention to a different technological trend. Readers following developments through publications such as Directions Magazine – GIS News and Geospatial have noticed increasing discussion about the role of location intelligence in modern finance. What was once considered a niche technology is now being viewed as a potentially important part of the evolving digital asset ecosystem. The growing intersection between geospatial technology and cryptocurrency may seem unexpected at first. After all, blockchain networks operate digitally, while geolocation systems are … Continue reading →