Plastic remains one of the most versatile materials in the manufacturing industry. It is commonly found in several everyday products, including containers, water bottles, luggage, car parts, and shopping bags.
However, due to its non-biodegradable nature and overuse, the world is facing a serious environmental problem, with millions of tons of plastic waste ending up in our cities, landfills, and oceans.
Therefore, plastic recycling has become one of the most important green initiatives in the UAE and the Middle East. Governments, socially responsible businesses, and eco-conscious consumers are gradually adopting sustainable practices to reverse some of the environmental degradation and foster long-term change.
What are the benefits?
Ressources for new materials
Plastic bottles in PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) are valuable resources that can be recycled into textile fibers for pillows for instance or into rPET for new plastic bottles.
Energy saving
Recycling 1 tonne of plastic saves the equivalent of 5,700 liters of gasoline or 5,774 Kwh of energy (recycling 1 PET Plastic Bottle conserves = 60 Wh of energy).
Environmental conservation
Recycling is a good lever to preserve our environment by diverting waste from landfills.
Plastic waste management is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UAE.
Today, several local and international bodies collaborate with the authorities in the seven Emirates to reduce, minimize, collect, and recycle/convert plastic waste into other products and resources.
Realizing the consequences of the high use of plastics, the UAE has taken several positive measures, such as implementing a green tariff on single-use plastic bags, investing in recycling infrastructure, and sharing awareness through several programs and eco-initiatives.
Types of plastic to recycle
If you’re ready to get on board the change wagon and employ a more sustainable lifestyle, start by learning about different recyclable plastic types. These include:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – Commonly found in plastic trays and bottles
Polypropylene (PP) – Ready/pre-cooked meal trays and butter/cheese/margarine containers
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – Shampoo bottles, lotions, juice cartons, etc.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) – Shopping bags, plastic wrapping, and packaging
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – Drainage and plumbing pipes
With 2 sorting facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the materials collected by RECAPP are sorted per waste category. The recovered recyclables are compacted and baled to be efficiently transported to local recycling and transformation facilities.
In the UAE, Veolia is committed to open the first PET Recycling Facility for Food-Grade Application: RePeeT. The collected post-consumed PET bottles will be delivered to Veolia's PET Recycling Facility where they'll be extensively washed, extruded and decontaminated to produce a high-quality recycled Resin (rPET). Produced under high safety and environmental standards, this rPET will be (re)used in the local packaging and food industry, closing the loop of the PET resin in the UAE.
General information on Plastic Recyclables Collection
Post-consumer plastic waste is among the leading causes of environmental degradation in the United Arab Emirates. According to the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemical Association, the Kingdom produces nearly 1.5 million metric tons of plastic bags, bottles, containers, and other types of waste with a recycling rate of just 4%.
As a result, recycling plastic has become one of the most important green initiatives in the UAE, with governments, businesses, and eco-conscious consumers gradually implementing new policies and adopting new solutions and practices to save the environment.
Since plastic remains an integral material for almost every industry, adopting sustainable practices and stopping plastic waste from entering cities, landfills, and oceans has become more important than ever before.
RECAPP is one of the most popular recycling companies in the UAE. We offer a door-to-door waste pickup service to residents and businesses looking to dispose of plastic waste properly and cost-effectively. We have established an expert system for point-to-point collection, transportation, and disposal and are one of the most reliable recycling companies in the Kingdom.
What Can You Recycle?
Almost all types of plastic can be recycled (fully or partially), including:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Plastic bottles
Plastic trays
Rope
Fiberfill jackets
Industrial strapping
Sleeping bags
Protective packaging
Polypropylene (PP)
Food containers
Ropes
Carpets
Upholstery
Clothing
Living hinges
Pallets
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Juice/milk cartons
Lotions
Shampoo bottles
Toys
Jugs
Cereal box liners
Recycling bins
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Plastic wrapping
Shopping bags
Tubing
Trays
Dispensing bottles
Computer Components
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Window and door profiles
PVC drainage pipes
Automotive parts
Fittings
Blood bags
Surgical equipment
Electrical cables
Tubing
Polystyrene (PS)
Plastic Cutlery
Petri dishes and test tubes
Smoke detector housings
Thermal insulation (foam)
Cups
Appliance parts (refrigerators, microwaves, etc.)
Our Plastic Waste Collection and Disposal Process
RECAPP offers a door-to-door plastic recyclables collection service in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and other parts of the UAE. Here’s an overview of our process.
Collection By opting for our subscription service, we deliver recycling boxes to your premises so you can collect plastic waste. Our team arrives at your facility four times every month and transports the plastic waste to two of our sorting facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This way, it doesn’t end up in landfills or the oceans.
Storage The plastic waste is sorted at the sorting facility according to its type and size for more effective recycling processes.
Shredding and Shipping Next, the sorted post-consumer plastic waste is shredded into smaller pieces so it can be packed and shipped to manufacturing companies or other businesses for processing and use.
Why Recycle Plastic?
Reduce Pollution
Plastic incineration is one of the major causes of air pollution as it releases toxic gases into the environment. Secondly, plastic waste also contaminates landfills and water bodies by leaching dangerous chemicals into them.
Preserve Oil and other Resources
Plastic is a derivative of fossil fuels (oil and gas). By recycling plastic, you can reduce the demand for virgin raw materials used to produce different types of plastic and save energy and resources, such as water, coal, and natural gas.
Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption
Fossil fuels are the leading cause of environmental degradation. Companies use around 350 million tonnes of oil annually to produce plastic products. Therefore, by reducing the demand for plastic with recycling, you can reduce overall fossil fuel consumption.
Get Started With RECAPP
Plastic recycling processes can help reduce the strain on finite resources, especially oil, gas, and water. Moreover, recycling plastic can help reduce pollution and reverse some of the environmental impact.
At RECAPP, we strive to help residents and businesses in the UAE reduce their carbon footprint and play their part in reducing plastic waste. With our quick and hassle-free service, we enable more people to dispose of plastic bottles, packaging, bags, and other products to make a bigger difference.
