Category Archives: Environment

The Significance of E-Waste Management

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E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream, and its disposal is a major environmental concern in all parts of the world. More than 50 million tons of e-waste is generated every year with major fraction finding its way to landfills and dumpsites. E-waste comprises as much as 8% of the municipal solid waste stream in rich nations, such as those in GCC. Globally only 15 – 20 percent of e-waste is recycled while the rest is dumped into developing countries. However, in the Middle East, merely 5 percent of e-waste is sent to recycling facilities (which are located in Asia, … Continue reading →

Sustainability in Islam: An Infographic

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Islam has a long tradition of teaching respect for God’s creatures and responsible use of natural resources. Muslims have historically embodied their role as khalifah, or stewards, and how contemporary Muslims are enacting this stewardship through environmental protection. The infographic below shares ways to easily live more sustainably, emphasizing affordable solutions. Whether you change some of your habits, volunteer with a Muslim-led environmental nonprofit organization, or help in another way, you can learn more about Islam’s relationship to sustainability. The protection of natural resources and respectful treatment of plants and animals has long been a part of the Muslim way … Continue reading →

Solid Waste Management Challenges in the Middle East

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Middle East is one of the most prolific waste generating regions of the world. Solid waste management in the Middle East is bogged down by major challenges like lavish lifestyles, ineffective legislation, infrastructural roadblocks, indifferent public attitude and lack of environmental awareness. High standards of living are contributing to more generation of waste which when coupled with lack of waste collection and disposal facilities have transformed ‘trash’ into a liability. Major Hurdles The general perception towards waste is that of indifference and apathy. Waste is treated as ‘waste’ rather than as a ‘resource’. There is an urgent need to increase … Continue reading →

Raising the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards Through Storytelling

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When we talk about solving the climate crisis, or biodiversity loss, or deforestation, or plastic choking our rivers, the names that come up are usually the same ones. Governments. Scientists. Corporations. Policymakers. Big institutions with big budgets and long acronyms. And yes, all of that matters. But there’s a group we keep leaving out of that conversation, and honestly, it bothers me every time I notice it. Children. The decisions we’re making right now, today, will be the world our kids inherit. That’s not a metaphor. That’s just true. And if we’re serious about a sustainable future, we can’t just … Continue reading →

An Environmental Message For the World

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These are strange times indeed. Children today are bombarded with phrases such as global warming, carbon footprint and deforestation. These scary terms were totally alien a hundred years ago, but we only have ourselves to blame for their importance now. I ask you a simple question “What kind of future are you leaving for children and youth like me?” Every day, every minute we are writing an epitaph for a lake, or a wetland or a forest. The mighty river Ganges which once flowed, pristine and pure, from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, is now a cesspool of filth. … Continue reading →

Progress of Green Building Sector in Qatar

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There has been rapid progress in green building sector in Qatar with the emergence of many world-class sustainable constructions in recent years. With the fifth-highest number of LEED-registered and certified buildings outside the U.S., Qatar has valuable experience and inputs to offer on the system’s local relevancy and application. Various countries in the Middle East have been accredited with regards to the LEED system. Of these buildings, 65 per cent (802) are located in the UAE. Qatar is ranked second on the list, with 173 green buildings, followed by Saudi Arabia (145), Lebanon (25) and Egypt (22). Qatar’s Green Building Rating … 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 →

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 →

Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA): An Emerging Threat to Water Resources and Drinking Water Safety

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Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has emerged as one of the most widespread and persistent fluorinated contaminants detected in the environment. As an ultra-short-chain member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family, TFA exhibits exceptional water solubility, high mobility, and extreme environmental persistence. Unlike legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), TFA is primarily generated through the degradation of fluorinated refrigerants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Recent monitoring studies have revealed its increasing occurrence in rainwater, groundwater, surface waters, drinking water, food products, and even human serum. This review aims to summarize current knowledge regarding TFA sources, … Continue reading →

Greenwashing Unveiled: Deception in the Name of Sustainability

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Greenwashing, the practice of misleading consumers through deceptive environmental claims, has become alarmingly prevalent in today’s marketplace. With companies eager to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable products and services, they often resort to misleading tactics that undermine genuine sustainability efforts. As companies continue to employ vague and misleading labels, it is essential for the media to maintain its commitment to investigative reporting and consumer education. By providing accurate and reliable information, media outlets can empower consumers to make informed choices and encourage companies to adopt genuine sustainable practices. Continued media efforts are crucial in ensuring that greenwashing is … Continue reading →

Green Bankability in Middle East Infrastructure

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The Middle East is changing how it builds and finances big projects. As countries move away from relying only on oil, the biggest challenge is not finding money—it is making sure projects match international green standards. Global lenders like the IFC, EIB, and GCF have billions to spend on regional infrastructure. However, they have a strict rule: projects must meet global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, not just engineering goals. To get this global funding, developers must use three simple tools to make their projects “green bankable. First, developers need to stop treating every project as a one-time deal. … 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 →