Biogas from Animal Wastes

The Middle East and North Africa region has a strong animal population. The livestock sector, in particular sheep, goats and camels, plays an important role in the national economy of regional countries. Millions of animals are imported in MENA each year from around the world. In addition, the region has witnessed very rapid growth in the poultry sector. Animal Waste Management Animal waste is a valuable source of nutrients and renewable energy. However, most of the waste is collected in lagoons or left to decompose in the open which pose a significant environmental hazard. The air pollutants emitted from manure include … Continue reading

Plastic Pollution: The Search for a Sustainable Solution

Given the present momentum of events, anthropocene may not last for long as it is engineering the apocalypse with the wonder material – Plastics. Anthropocene signifies the geological period when humans have been the dominant influence on the planet’s environment. According statistics, the world produced 322 million metric tons of plastics in 2015; and it is likely to be four times more by 2050. Plastics have become ubiquitous in our lives today. This wonder material which was invented in 1907 is thickly intertwined with every aspect of our lives today – from toothbrush to the sophisticated gadgets and equipment which … Continue reading

My Little Paper Recycling Project

Paper industry is considered as one of the world’s largest consumers of fossil fuels and biggest industrial polluter. The industry is criticized by environmental groups for being responsible for massive deforestation around the world. With the use of modern technology such as the printing press and the highly mechanised harvesting of wood, paper has become a cheap commodity. This has led to a high level of consumption and waste. Worldwide consumption of paper has risen by 400% in the past 40 years, with 35% of harvested trees being used for paper manufacture. Paper wastes constitute as much as one-fourth of … Continue reading

10 Ways to Create an Eco-friendly Skincare Routine

One of the imperative parts of our day includes following a beauty schedule. Self-grooming and beauty routines tend to become like second nature to us. Therefore, it is important to form habits while being mindful of the environment. Forming an environmentally-sound beauty routine might not be your top priority. However, the global cosmetics industry itself is negligent of its impact on the environment as it continues to produce about 120 billion units of packaging annually. If you’ve been worried about such statistics, we wonder if you’d like to move forward and make your beauty routine as sustainable and environmentally-friendly as … Continue reading

Building a Plastic Bottle Village From Rubbish

This is an inspiring true story that demonstrates a solution to the rubbish problem, especially discarded plastic bottles, plaguing our planet! We hope it will encourage and inspire other visionaries to take similar actions around the world! Robert Bezeau moved to the tropical paradise of Bocas del Toro, Panama, after he grew tired of the cold weather in his home country of Canada. He loved Panama, but at the same time, he was dismayed by the rubbish removal left behind by more than 100,000 tourists visiting the area every year. While he walked the beaches, he began collecting discarded plastic … Continue reading

E-waste Recyclers are a Growing Concern to the Economy of the UAE

Amidst the  COP 28 proceedings, the launch of ‘waste to zero’ initiative called our attention to hazardous waste management. As per the data unveiled by the former US Vice President Gore, at COP28’s main plenary hall, UAE’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 7.5% in 2022 from the previous years. The waste to zero initiative launched at COP28 will be a joint initiative between The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) aiming towards decarbonisation of waste. Being the largest emirate of the UAE, Abu Dhabi also has high level of industrial activities –  … Continue reading

4 Popular Types of Reusable Fabric Shopping Bags

Reusable fabric shopping bags are an eco-friendly, practical, and affordable alternative to disposable bags. Using reusable fabric shopping bags helps the environment by reducing pollution and conserving energy. Plus, switching to reusable shopping bags can save you money in the long run. Up to 1 million birds, turtles, and many other sea animals die annually from taking in plastic bags. Animals can confuse floating bags with sea life to eat, such as plankton and jellyfish. Once they eat it, the plastic chokes up their digestive system. The animals typically starve to death. Other animals may drown after they are entangled in plastic bags. Thus, we … Continue reading

قم ببناء منزلك الصغير من المواد المعاد تدويرها

بدا الناس بالعودة الى الحياة البسيطة من أجل توفير المال.  إن مفهوم الحياة البسيطة يكمن في العودة إلى الطبيعة، وترك بصمة ولو صغيرة على كوكب الأرض، وأيضاً في نظر العديد من الناس ان تكون مقتصدا∙ لماذا تخلق كما هائلاً من الديون عندما يكون بوسعك أن تبني بيتك من مواد معاد تدويرها يمكنك العثور عليها مجاناً?  إن بناء منزلك الصغير “Tiny Home ” من المواد المعاد تدويرها ليس بالأمر الصعب كما قد تظن.  في الواقع، عندما تعرف ما تبحث عنه، فليس من الصعب العثور على المواد اللازمة فقط اترك العنان لخيالك كي يفكر∙ ما المواد التي تحتاج إليها؟ إن أغلب المنازل الصغيرة … Continue reading

Recycling of Aluminium: Trends in Middle East

The demand for aluminium products is growing steadily in the Middle East because of their positive contribution to modern living. Aluminium finds extensive use almost all walks of life including transport, food and medicine, packaging, construction, electronics and electrical power transmission. Infact, the use of aluminum exceeds that of any other metal except iron. Aluminium is the second most widely used metal whereas the aluminium can is the most recycled consumer product in the world. Recycling Potential of Aluminium Disposal of aluminium wastes is a challenging task as aluminium exposed to fires at dumpsites can be a serious environmental problem in the form of poisonous gases and mosquito … Continue reading

إعادة استخدام الملابس القديمة وتطويعها لأغراض أخرى

عشرات الملايين من أطنان الملابس القديمة يتم التخلص منها في جميع أنحاء العالم كل عام.  في البلدان الغنية، حوالي% 5-6 من النفايات البلدية الصلبة  تتألف من الملابس المستعملة. في عام  2010تخلص الأميركيين من 13,1 مليون  طن من المنسوجات ، منها  %15 فقط تم إعادة استخدام ، في حين أكثر من 11 مليون طن من المنسوجات كانت ملقاة في  مرادم النفايات في جميع أنحاء البلاد. الوضع لا يختلف في الشرق الأوسط حيث أن  كمية كبيرة من الملابس وغيرها من الأقمشة تتراكم في المنازل سنويا. عندما يتم ألقاء الملابس و الأقمشة في حاويات النفايات الموجودة في كل منطقة, يتم نقل النفايات إلى … Continue reading

Waste Management Perspectives for Egypt

Egypt occupies 7th position in the list of countries with the most mismanaged plastic waste, according to a recent report published in Science magazine. The report was based on data collected in 2010 and one must wonder whether the results of the report would have been different if the zabbaleen had been allowed to continue their work unhindered. A History of Zabbaleen The zabbaleen, or garbage collectors, are the descendants of farmers from Upper Egypt who moved to Cairo in the 1940s. Together with another migrant group, they have made a living in Cairo collecting, sorting, salvaging, and recycling the … Continue reading

The Hidden Impact of Single-Use Plastics on Our Environment

Single-use plastics have become an inescapable part of our everyday lives. They are convenient and widely available, but they may come at a higher cost than we realize. The seemingly harmless plastic bag or disposable coffee cup has a dark side: contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. This post will delve into the hidden impact of single-use plastics on our environment and explore potential solutions for reducing plastic waste. The Prevalence of Single-Use Plastics Plastic is undeniably an essential part of modern life. It is lightweight, durable, and versatile, making it a practical choice for a wide range of applications. … Continue reading