Aluminium Recycling Coalition launched at EGA, aims to promote aluminium recycling in UAE

On January 15, 2023, Emirates Global Aluminium, one of the leading producers of aluminium and the leading beverage producers, can-makers and waste management companies, announced the launch of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, intending to drive a step-change in aluminium recycling in the UAE.

The partnership was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah in the presence of UAE Economy Minister Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri and UAE Climate Change and Environment Minister Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri.

The alliance comprises EGA, Veolia, Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, Crown Bevcan EMEA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company.

Aluminium is crucial to the development of a more sustainable society. Aluminium's properties make it ideal for everything from packaging to lightweight electric vehicles, and is infinitely recyclable.

EGA stated, "The Aluminium Recycling Coalition aims to promote aluminium recycling by UAE consumers, particularly beverage cans - as millions of individual decisions every day on which bin to use drive collection rates."

To fully grasp the scope of the opportunity and potential solutions, the alliance wants to support an International Aluminium Institute (IAI) study on the rates and behaviours of recycling aluminium in the United Arab Emirates as its first project. The coalition also anticipates working with the administration to advance the construction of infrastructure for aluminium recycling as well as to promote government policies and regulations related to recycling aluminium.

Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy of UAE, said: “The Aluminium Recycling Coalition is led by Emirates Global Aluminium, the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world and the heart of the broader aluminium sector in the UAE, which generates over $5 billion annually in the national economy. It will enhance the UAE’s position as a global leader in international efforts towards green development, support our 2031 goals on the circular economy, and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy that is more resilient and competitive.”

Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment of UAE, said: “Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by between 50 per cent and 80 per cent by 2050 because of the key role of this infinitely recyclable material in achieving net zero.”

“Cooperation throughout the value chain, such as the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, will speed the decarbonisation of our economy in line with the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. I wish EGA and the other members of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition every success in their collective endeavour.”

Ali Al Dhaheri, the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer), said: “We are delighted to be a partner of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition founded by EGA and are excited to usher in the next era of aluminium recycling in the UAE through concentrated efforts.”

“Recycling and circular economy are both key pillars of our country’s ambition towards prosperity. For us at Tadweer, this is also part of our commitment to support national platforms that support sustainability and raise awareness on the importance of recycling in the UAE.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, the Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Recyclability is one reason aluminium is so important for human progress, but every day as a society, we throw too much of this valuable metal away. By championing the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, EGA aims to increase aluminium recycling rates in the UAE to benefit our society and economy. I thank all our partners for joining us in this initiative.”

Jason Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, said: “At Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, we are committed to our shared goals with The Coca-Cola Partner Company, and together we believe that developing a circular economy is the most impactful way to address waste and climate issues created by packaging.”

“That’s why we are championing the established World Without the Waste program. Our ambitious global sustainable packaging initiative focused on three key areas; Design, Collect and Partner. Our World Without Waste goals requires collective action in partnership with a range of global, regional and local stakeholders. As such, we are delighted to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition. Through this partnership, we aim to work with a diverse group of organisations to strengthen recycling infrastructures, boost collection rates, and take action that supports a circular economy. We see this as a significant, positive initiative and are committed to our joint success. As a company, we will weave this into our Value Proposition- drive awareness through our customers, shoppers and consumers and report on the regional wins as we create an active recycling culture in the aluminium space.”

Rafael Sanjurjo Lopez, the Chief Executive Officer of BEEAH Tandeef, said: “We are proud to collaborate with EGA’s Aluminium Recycling Coalition to accelerate net-zero initiatives for a faster decarbonisation journey. The aluminium industry has a great role to play in promoting the circular economy of tomorrow, and we are excited to leverage our sustainability actions with this programme further.”

Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, said: “Signing today’s MoU and joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is a great honour and affirmation of Coca-Cola’ concerted efforts to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging across its beverage portfolio.”

“By joining key decision-makers, industry leaders, and advocates for aluminium recycling, we are confident that our global learnings and expertise will lead to sustainable and impactful change across the UAE, which aligns with our vision of raising awareness by working with local partners.”

Malgorzata Podrecka, Group Legal, Sustainability & PR Officer, CANPACK, said: “CANPACK is delighted to join the prestigious Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE as we believe it is only through collaboration that we will be able to achieve a lasting, positive, and meaningful impact on the environment and society. By working together, we know we will be better able to tackle climate change, promote a circular economy, improve local communities, and ensure that the UAE’s aluminium industry is economically sustainable and here for the long term.

Pascal Grante, the Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Near & Middle East, said: “Veolia Environmental Service Emirates is proud of the partnership relationship developed over the last four years working with EGA. During this time, we have helped operate, manage, haulage and place over 9.9 million tonnes of Bauxite residue from the Al Taweelah alumina refinery to the engineered storage area. And now, for two years, VEOLIA has launched RECAPP, promoting segregation at the source of metal cans and plastics.”

“Through this new service, we have noticed that the percentage of aluminium cans recovered remains low compared to the sales volume of beverage cans in the UAE. Spreading awareness through education is essential to bridging this gap, and incentive schemes – such as RECAPP’s reward system – effectively promote community sustainability. RECAPP and VEOLIA are proud to be part of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition and to work hand-in-hand to explore innovative solutions that can increase the collection and recycling of aluminium in the UAE.”

David Stockton, Chief Executive Officer of DULSCO Group, said: “We heavily prioritise recycling and have worked tirelessly to divert waste away from landfills through our Material Recovery Facility while promoting a local recycling culture. We are proud to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, with the shared goal to encourage the recycling of aluminium - a metal utilised by all routinely in daily life, with the capacity to be recycled infinitely into products such as new car parts, aircraft skin, roofing materials, or back into new aluminium cans. Along with fellow members of the Coalition, we hope to work synergistically through the exchange of knowledge and facilities such as our MRF to accomplish our joint goal of environmental preservation, in line with the vision of the UAE.”

Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, the Sustainability and External Affairs Director of Crown Bevcan EMEA, said: “We are proud to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE, where Crown has a historical footprint and a market leader position in the supply of beverage cans in the region. As part of our Twentyby30 program, we are committed to increasing the recycling rates in the regions we operate to keep our aluminium cans within the circular economy. One of the strongest sustainability credentials of aluminium is that it is infinitely recyclable, so we are excited to collaborate with other partners and develop projects to improve the recycling of aluminium beverage cans.”

Tarek El Sakka, the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Refreshment, said: “Joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is one of many steps we have taken across several initiatives in DRC to translate our commitment towards sustainability. Being in a coalition helps all stakeholders in the industry to focus on solving issues related to waste & act as a catalyst to bring changes & achieve circular economy goals. We expect this coalition to be the link between industries involved & regulatory bodies that will work together to set the right framework to facilitate achieving sustainability objectives within a business context.”