The United Arab Emirates (UAE) waste sector emitted, in 2019, 13 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e). And 60 percent of these emissions came from landfills, where organic waste releases greenhouse gases as it decomposes.
By 2030, emissions are expected to rise to 14 MtCO2e. This represents an 8 percent increase from 2019.
To help reduce its carbon footprint in this sector, the UAE has unveiled its Green Agenda 2030 and Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041. Additionally, the country hopes to achieve an 80 percent recycling rate by 2031.
Progress is evident as the demand for sustainable solutions grows. In fact, the UAE’s plastic recycling market alone is expected to reach 1.44 million tonnes by 2030.
Rebound, a subsidiary of Sirius International Holding, strives to make a difference and contribute to this development with the launch of its new subscription-based platform for recyclable materials. These materials are wide-ranging, encompassing plastics, rubber, e-waste, metal, paper, and cardboard.
The UAE-based innovative subscription-based platform serves as a marketplace connecting buyers, sellers, and partners of recyclable materials worldwide. What sets them apart is their zero-percent commission feature. This goes to show that beyond being a marketplace that enhances profitability, it’s a shining example of the country’s commitment to global recycling.
In this interview, Economy Middle East speaks to Maryam Al Mansoori, founder and general manager of Rebound. She also delves into the idea behind the game-changing platform and discusses how it supports the UAE’s commitment to achieving net-zero goals.
Rebound’s new subscription-based platform is described as a revolutionary step in the recycling industry. What inspired the development of this platform?
The development of Rebound’s subscription-based platform was driven by the need to simplify global recycling processes. The market was fragmented, making it difficult for businesses to trade materials efficiently and find the aggregated feedstock needed.
Our platform addresses this by providing a centralized digital marketplace with zero-percent commission on trades, real-time certification, and environmental impact assessments. The launch aligns with the UAE’s broad sustainability regulations, including the UAE Waste Management Law (Federal Law No. 12 of 2018) and the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, which encourage waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable resource management across industries.
Expanding beyond plastics, Rebound helps businesses comply with these regulations, contributing to the country’s vision for a more sustainable and circular economy.
Rebound offers a unique zero-percent commission on trades through its subscription model. Can you elaborate on how this approach enhances profitability and sustainability for your members?
The zero-percent commission model is central to our goal of making recycling both profitable and sustainable. By removing commission fees, Rebound allows businesses of all sizes to engage in large-scale recycling to maximize their profit limit. It also enables them to reinvest in their operations, particularly when it comes to enhancing sustainability practices. These could be in the form of technology upgrades, process efficiency, and workforce development.
By eliminating friction in transactions, our model supports faster, more frequent trading of recyclable materials. This model not only supports member profitability but also drives circular economy principles. It’s about creating a competitive advantage while ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
Your platform connects buyers, sellers, and partners of recyclable materials worldwide. How does Rebound facilitate these connections, and what challenges have you encountered in building this global network?
Rebound’s platform is designed for accessibility and transparency, allowing buyers, sellers, and partners to seamlessly connect. Moreover, through our subscription model, members can interact via detailed profiles, a community page for industry discussions, and real-time price indices. Additionally, dedicated account managers provide tailored support for smooth navigation.
A key challenge was accommodating the diverse regulations and needs of global stakeholders.
Over a two-year period, we studied these regulations and developed the Rebound Certification Protocol, a common language that ensures seamless trading across regions. This protocol further allows for efficient, compliant, and transparent international transactions, making global recycling accessible to all.
The concept of a circular economy is central to Rebound’s strategy. From your perspective, why is it crucial for businesses and countries to adopt circular economy practices, and how does Rebound support this transition?
Adopting a circular economy is essential for reducing environmental impact and ensuring long-term sustainability. Circular practices help minimize waste, conserve resources, and promote more efficient material use.
For businesses, this translates into cost savings, enhanced innovation, and stronger sustainability credentials with a reverse supply chain sorted out.
Additionally, Rebound facilitates this transition by offering a platform that connects all key players in the recycling value chain — buyers, sellers, logistics, and certification partners. Through our platform, recyclable materials are kept in circulation longer, reducing the need for virgin resources and supporting both economic and environmental goals.
Rebound is aligned with the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041. How does your platform contribute to these national sustainability initiatives, and what are your plans to further support the country’s transition to a circular economy?
Furthermore, Rebound plays a critical role in advancing the UAE’s sustainability goals by offering a scalable and efficient solution for recycling materials. Our platform directly supports the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and the Integrated Waste Management Strategy by enabling businesses to recycle more efficiently and transparently. By promoting circular economy principles and integrating them into our platform, we help reduce the country’s overall environmental impact.
Moving forward, we plan to further enhance our platform by expanding the range of materials we handle. We also aim to deepen our partnerships with local and international stakeholders, which will continue to support the UAE’s transition to a circular economy.
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