EAD's Bottle Return Scheme Achieves Recovery Of Over 2,000 Tonnes Of Bottles Since Launch

Since the Bottle Return Scheme began in 2023, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recovered over 2,000 tonnes of bottles. In collaboration with Sparklo, a leader in cleantech and strategic oversight, EAD collected 23 million recyclables in 2024. This initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's Single-Use Plastic policy, encouraging residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits.

The agency partnered with retail industry players, waste operators, and cleantech providers to deploy more than 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), called Sparklomats, across Abu Dhabi. These machines are located at ADNOC, Lulu, and Carrefour outlets, providing easy access for returning plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The initiative collected over 544,000 kg of plastic and 18,000 kg of aluminium in 2024 alone.

Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, stated: "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 scheme has significantly reduced carbon emissions by preventing over 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions. It aligns with Abu Dhabi's ambitious goal to cut carbon emissions by 22% by 2027. A notable achievement was when a single Sparklomat processed more than 8,500 items in one day, setting a record for individual unit performance.

Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, remarked: "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."

EAD and Sparklo plan to further expand their RVM network while enhancing community involvement. This will strengthen Abu Dhabi's leadership in sustainable innovation. By supporting circular economy principles through this initiative, they aim to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in building a sustainable future.

With inputs from WAM