What if every bottle you returned helped build a cleaner, greener future? That’s exactly the vision the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) brought to life with the launch of its ambitious Bottle Return Scheme in 2023. In collaboration with Sparklo, its strategic oversight partner and cleantech leader, the initiative has sparked a city-wide shift in sustainability—recovering over 2,000 tonnes of bottles and amassing a remarkable 23 million recyclables in 2024 alone. Out of this, 18,000 kg were aluminium, and 544,000 kg were plastic.
_0_0.jpg)
Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, said, “The partnership with EAD exemplifies the success of government-private sector collaboration. With EAD’s unwavering support, we have expanded the RVM network, contributing directly to Abu Dhabi’s sustainability agenda. The results speak for themselves – when recycling is made simple and engaging, communities embrace the change, reinforcing the role of practical solutions in environmental progress.”
As a key pillar of the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic policy, the scheme has transformed everyday actions into powerful environmental choices, turning waste into a resource and residents into environmental champions. The agency, in partnership with Sparklo, has worked closely with retail industry leaders, waste operators, and cleantech providers to deploy over 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, throughout Abu Dhabi.
Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, said, “We seek to integrate sustainability practices into daily life in the emirate. The EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, held in collaboration with private sector organisations, including Sparklo, embodies the importance of partnerships, technology, and community engagement in creating a sustainable environmental impact. This initiative, with its objectives represents a strategic investment that consolidates the concept of environmental responsibility. By supporting the principles of the circular economy, we seek to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s leading position in the global transformation towards building a sustainable future.”
These machines have been installed at convenient return points within major retail outlets such as ADNOC, Lulu, and Carrefour, making it easier for residents to return plastic bottles and aluminium cans. This collective effort has helped prevent more than 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions, supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 22 per cent by 2027. Notably, one Sparklomat set a single-day record by processing more than 8,500 items, showcasing the system’s efficiency and public engagement.
As EAD and Sparklo continue to scale the initiative, their focus will shift toward expanding the RVM network and enhancing community engagement, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional leader in sustainable innovation.
Responses
