Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recovered more than 2,000 tons of bottles since the introduction of the Bottle Return Scheme in 2023. Following the launch of this impactful initiative, EAD, in collaboration with Sparklo, the agency’s strategic oversight and cleantech leader, also collected a 23 million recyclables in 2024. This scheme, part of the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic policy, empowers residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits, significantly contributing to environmental sustainability.
The agency has partnered with various stakeholders in the retail industry, waste management, and cleantech sectors. Together with Sparklo, they have deployed over 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, throughout Abu Dhabi. Major retail outlets such as ADNOC, Lulu, and Carrefour provide convenient return access points for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, making recycling easier for the community, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.
Significant environmental impact achieved in 2024
The 23 million recyclables collected in 2024 included more than 544,000 kg of plastic and 18,000 kg of aluminium. The cumulative impact of this initiative has successfully prevented over 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goal of a 22 percent carbon emissions reduction by 2027. Notably, in a single-day milestone, one Sparklomat processed more than 8,500 items, setting a record for individual unit performance.
Integrating sustainability into daily life
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 organizations, 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.”
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Fueling progress in sustainability
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, reinforcing the role of practical solutions in environmental progress.”
As EAD and Sparklo continue to scale this initiative, efforts will focus on expanding the RVM network and deepening community engagement, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s leadership in sustainable innovation. The ongoing success of the Bottle Return Scheme Abu Dhabi highlights the vital role of collaboration in achieving environmental goals and fostering a culture of sustainability in the emirate.
