Talks of a recycling body

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Forming a dedicated waste and recycling association could positively drive the industry forward.

Industry professionals discuss the possibility of forming an association.

Recycling conference delegates discussed the possibility of a waste management association at last months Recycling Middle East conference in Dubai.

In the question and answer session, chairman of the Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA), Barry Read, suggested a meeting of "like-minded people" to discuss the possibility.

"It seems to me that a lot of the companies here speak from different voices. One of the things we're very good at in the UK is thinking of associations. There is an opportunity here for some kind of recycling association that will act as a central point for the industry," he said.

With discussion throughout the two day conference gearing back towards the lack of understanding towards recycling and the lack of recycling in general, Read added that an association would be a good source of information and also one that could drive the industry forward.

Lina Chaaban, EnviroCare manager, Tadweer, agreed with his comments and said: "Everyone is working as individuals. We don't know about each other and we don't know what is going on in other Emirates. I heard for the first time today that there is recycling in Sharjah.

She went on and explained that developers need some kind of enforcement from the government to sort at source and implement proper waste management solutions.

On an international level, associations can also be a driving force for the implementation of governmental legislation. But Deirdry Dudley Owen, senior waste consultant, Hyder Consulting doesn't think legislation is the priority.

"It's not so much the legislation, it's getting the support of the government and that's what is so difficult to do here. To find the information required, find the right person to talk to and then gain their support, it's incredibly hard.

While this could be seen as a step in the right direction for the future of waste management in the UAE, Chaaban voiced her concerns about the creation of the association.

"I think some people are not ready to open up. I don't know if it's the mentality or the way the business is, but so many people don't like to share information as they think they are losing out or giving information away.

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READERS' COMMENTS

missing info
Posted by Zainab, Portland, ME, USA on Monday 28 April 2008 at 22:01 UAE time

Does anyone have any statics of the average of waste that's being recycled in the middle east?

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