Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) has launched a marine waste vessel in Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi as part of the Center’s continued efforts to enhance the collection, transportation and treatment of solid waste.

The facility will be used to transfer different types of solid waste from Dalma Island in Al Dhafra Region to Ruwais landfill on a regular basis.

The first of its kind facility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi articulates Tadweer’s continued efforts to protect the environment and ensure the public health and safety in line with the highest international standards.

Compared to traditional methods, the vessel can accommodate large-sized waste containers, doubling the Center’s capacity to transfer huge amounts of waste from different areas of the island.

Tadweer’s marine waste vessel

The 79-tonne vessel is approximately 26 meters long, and is operated under the supervision of a permeant crew comprising 6 members including two captains, a mechanic, an electrician and two assistants.

The vessel will operate 6 times per week, carrying a total 200 tons of waste in a highly professional and environmentally friendly manner.

Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer, said: “The opening of our first marine waste vessel comes as part of Tadweer’s continued efforts to develop an integrated waste management system to address the challenges posed by the increasing amounts of waste. Such efforts contribute to achieving Abu Dhabi government’s objective of promoting environment sustainability and minimizing the adverse effects of pollution on the environment.”

Al Kaabi added: “We launched this facility in response to the directives of our wise leadership to provide the highest standards of waste management services in Dalma Island to ensure its aesthetic appeal as a destination that boasts many tourist attractions and natural treasures.”

Tadweer is the key government entity responsible for all activities related to the development of waste management services in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, including the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste in a safe, efficient and economical manner. The Center is also tasked with carrying out pest control, educating communities about the significance of protecting the environment, and encouraging them to adopt sound environmental habits to drive sustainable development.

Expanded used tyre recycling facility

Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) has announced the opening of its expanded used tyre recycling facility in Abu Dhabi.

Run in strategic partnership with the private sector, the facility aims to ensure the safe disposal of used tyres to avoid public health and environmental risks, a statement said.

To ensure the facility’s success, Tadweer has contracted with Tarheel Collecting Wastes, an Abu Dhabi-based firm with over 10 years of extensive expertise in waste management and environment services.

Under its partnership with Tadweer, Tarheel collects and cleans used tyres prior to their recycling and treatment at the dedicated facility. With a capacity to treat 70,000 tonnes of used tyres annually, the facility has recycled nearly 17,000 tonnes of tyres since the beginning of 2020 until the end of its third quarter. In collaboration with its Italian partner, Tarheel has set up a new integrated automated plant that has increased its total facility capacity to 100,000 tonnes annually.

In expanding its used tyres recycling facility, Tadweer seeks to significantly reduce the health and environmental risks associated with burning tyres which causes serious damage to water, soil, air and public health, and could lead to diseases such as asthma, cancer, allergies, etc. Furthermore, tyres burning can have detrimental effects on the planet by driving global warming that has emerged as one of the most important environmental issues in recent years.

The disposal of used tyres in landfills causes serious effects on environment as the rubber can take up to 1000 years to decompose due to its high sulfur content. This has prompted countries across the world to ban scrap tyres from landfill with the European Union issuing legislations that include a complete ban on the landfill disposal of tyres to protect public health and environment.

Recycling of scrap tyres provides an excellent opportunity to use them as an alternative fuel in cement manufacturing. Scrap tyres are used in cement kilns where they are burnt at high gas temperatures of 1000-1200-degC resulting in an instantaneous, complete, and non-smokeless tyres combustion.

Tyres-derived fuel (TDF) is more cost effective than fossil fuels, and helps preserve natural resources by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. TDF allows cement manufactures to reduce emissions and production costs, turning scrap tyres from an environment and public health challenge to an efficient source of alternative energy.

Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer, said: “The opening of our expanded used tyres recycling facility is aligned with Tadweer’s strategic objective of converting used tyres from an economic burden into a valuable economic resource.”