Category Archives: Waste Management

Community Engagement in Recycling Initiatives in Qatar

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The current state of environmental custodianship in Qatar leaves much to be desired from the national government and other institutions that publicly endorse initiatives with much fan-fare but do not commit to sustained action. My previous piece titled “Environmental Initiatives in Middle East – Challenges and Remedies” illuminated some of these gaps, but did not provide a detailed description of what underpins this trend and possible solutions might look like. Thus, this article seeks to delve deeper into how state institutions and civil society in Qatar may be able to work cooperatively in staving off further environmental degradation, especially with … Continue reading →

An Introduction to Materials Recovery Facility

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A Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is a building to receive, sort, process and store recyclable materials to be shipped and marketed to end-users. A materials recovery facility accepts materials, whether source separated or mixed, and separates, processes and stores them for later use as raw materials for remanufacturing and reprocessing. The main function of the MRF is to maximize the quantity of recyclables processed, while producing materials that will generate the highest possible revenues in the market. MRFs can also function to process wastes into a feedstock for biological conversion or into a fuel source for the production of energy. … Continue reading →

EV Battery Recycling Methods for the Middle East

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Following global transitions, the Middle East is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable transportation, with electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more popular and widespread. This transition is driven by the global commitment to reduce carbon emissions and adopt more sustainable energy solutions. However, with the rise of EVs comes the serious challenge of managing used batteries. Developing proper recycling methods to reduce waste and recover valuable materials from EV batteries is very important. This article explores EV battery recycling in the Middle East, including existing initiatives, recycling methods, challenges, and prospects. Why EV Battery Recycling is Important EV batteries, mainly lithium-ion, … Continue reading →

5 Effective Ways to Improve E-Waste Management and Recycling

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Arguably, e-waste is fast becoming the defining issue of our age. Sure, plastics are a huge problem, and the true impact of our plastic production and consumption is only now coming to light. However, recent shifts in attitudes towards single-use packaging and other forms of non-recyclable plastics seems to be making some traction, and across the globe people are beginning to wake up to the destructive consequences of our reliance on plastics of all types. The increase in electronic waste, however, shows no sign of slowing. Current estimates suggest that around two-thirds of the world population own a smartphone, with … Continue reading →

Trash Talk from Doha

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On arriving a few years ago from a town in the UK that boasts a university course in waste management, and a very efficient weekly recyclable waste collection from our houses, I was a bit shocked, like many Europeans by how difficult it was to recycle in Doha. Having had the moral obligation to recycle drummed into me since I was quite young, I felt guilty throwing away all my waste into one bin, destined to fill up a huge smelly hole in the desert, where it would take a long time, if not forever to biodegrade. The Real Picture … Continue reading →

الطاقة الحيوية ووعدها

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الكتلة الحيوية هي المادة المستمدة من النباتات التي تستخدم ضوء الشمس للنمو، وتشمل المواد النباتية والحيوانية مثل الخشب من الغابات، والمواد المتبقية من العمليات الزراعية والحراجية، والنفايات الصناعية العضوية والبشرية والحيوانية. تأتي الكتلة الحيوية من مصادر متنوعة بما في ذلك الخشب من الغابات الطبيعية، ومخلفات الزراعة، والنفايات الزراعية الصناعية، وروث الحيوانات، والنفايات الصناعية العضوية، والنفايات الصلبة البلدية، وحُرَث مياه الصرف الصحي، وغيرها. عندما تُترك الكتلة الحيوية على الأرض تتفكك على مدى طويلة، مطلقة ثاني أكسيد الكربون ومخزونها من الطاقة ببطء؛ حين عند حرقها يُطلق هذا المخزون بسرعة وغالبًا بطريقة مفيدة. خيارات التكنولوجيا يمكن تحويل موارد الكتلة الحيوية إلى طاقة نظيفة … Continue reading →

الأكياس البلاستيكية – مشكلة العصر

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الجميع ينشد التحضر ويعبر عن رغبته في توفير متطلبات العيش في بيئة نظيفة وصحية، لكن غالبية المكون الاجتماعي تسلك طريق مغاير لذلك الهدف البيئي والانساني، إذ يعمل الكثير من الافراد في تبني سلوك يتعارض مع ذلك المنهج والمعنى الحضاري، ومن المظاهر السلبية التي إستوقفتنا في هذا السياق والتي يعتبرها البعض ثقافة وحضارة، الاستخدام غير الرشيد للأكياس البلاستيكية، وبالاخص الخفيفة منها التي تجد طريقها الى الساحات العامة والشوارع والممرات وتأخذ في التطاير وتشويه المنظر الجمالي للقرية والمدينة، إذ نجدها معلقة بكثرة على أغصان الاشجار وإعلانات واجهات المتاجر والاسلاك على إختلاف أنواعها، ومتناثرة في الحدائق العامة وعلى شواطئ البحر وفي المياه البحرية … Continue reading →

Solid Waste Management in Kuwait

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With rapid economic growth, solid waste generation is increasing rapidly in Kuwait. Presently, Kuwait is facing serious challenges in solid waste management sector. which is grossly affecting the environmental, economic and social situation in the country in addition to precipitating climate change. The World Bank noted that Kuwait has a very high per capita waste generation of 1.55 kg per day, much higher than the global per capita average of 0.74 kg per day. The predominant solid waste disposal method in Kuwait is landfill burial which act as dumpsites without considering environmental and safety precautions. The land area of Kuwait is … Continue reading →

Asbestos Waste Management in the MENA Countries

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Each year countries from the Middle East and North Africa import large amount of asbestos for use in the construction industry. As per the last known statistics, the Middle East and Africa accounted for 20% of world demand for the material. Iran and the United Arab Emirates are among the biggest consumers of the material. Infact, the entire Middle East has been steadily increasing their asbestos imports, except for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which are the only two countries that have placed bans on asbestos but with questionable effectiveness. Iran alone has been reported to order 30,000 tons of asbestos … Continue reading →

Waste Management Perspectives for Oman

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Globalization and modernization has led to increased consumption among the Omani population. Reportedly, the average Omani household throws away one-third of the food it purchases. Conspicuous consumption fuelled by peer pressure and effective advertising brings more goods and products into the home than the family members can actually make use of. And along with the increase in merchandise comes a lot of extra packaging. Product packaging now accounts for the bulk of what is thrown into household rubbish bins. The urge to keep pace with what one’s neighbours, relatives and peers acquire means higher rates of consumption: a new mobile … Continue reading →

Environmental and Public Health Benefits of Tire Recycling

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It is estimated that there are more than a billion passenger vehicles in the world. Imagine the number of tires that will be eventually disposed of. In the United States alone, an estimated 300 million tires are discarded every year. Where do you think those tires would end up? With the size, volume, and inherent durability of tires getting rid of them is no walk in the park. Fortunately, tire recycling has made substantial improvements in the past several years thanks to innovative technologies. The next time you are to replace your car tires, make it a point to recycle … Continue reading →

The Role of Recycling in 3D Printing

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The world of manufacturing and design is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly with the advent of 3D printing technology. As we delve deeper into this innovative realm, we face exciting prospects and pressing environmental challenges, especially concerning plastic waste. This article will explore the intersection of 3D printing and plastic waste, highlight secondary plastic use, and underscore the efforts of Epitum in leading the charge toward sustainable practices. Overview of 3D Printing Technology Though often used interchangeably with additive manufacturing, 3D printing generally involves building objects from digital models by adding material in successive layers (with variations in certain processes). This … Continue reading →