**Abu Dhabi**: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s Bottle Return Scheme has recycled over 2,000 tonnes of plastic bottles in 2023-24, reducing emissions by 3.5 million kilograms and supporting the emirate’s goal of a 22% carbon cut by 2027 through expanded Reverse Vending Machines and community engagement.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the preeminent environmental regulator in the Middle East, has announced significant achievements in its sustainability efforts through the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy. Central to this initiative is the EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, which was launched in 2023 and has successfully recovered over 2,000 tonnes of plastic bottles, greatly enhancing recycling initiatives throughout the Emirate.
In partnership with various stakeholders from the retail sector, waste management operators, and cleantech providers, the EAD has introduced more than 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), referred to as Sparklomats, across Abu Dhabi. These machines provide accessible locations for residents to return plastic bottles and aluminium cans, making recycling more convenient.
The impact of the Bottle Return Scheme has been substantial. In 2024 alone, approximately 23 million recyclable items were collected, comprising over 544,000 kilograms of plastic and 18,000 kilograms of aluminium. This initiative has reportedly halted the release of over 3.5 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s ambitious target of achieving a 22 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2027. Notably, a single Sparklomat achieved a record by processing more than 8,500 items in just one day.
Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, highlighted the importance of community engagement and partnership in achieving sustainability. Speaking to Menews247, she 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.”
Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, underscored the success of the collaboration between government and private sectors. He 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.”
As the initiative progresses, both EAD and Sparklo are planning to expand the RVM network while deepening community involvement. This effort aims to further establish Abu Dhabi as a leader in sustainable innovation, reflecting the Emirate’s commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible resource management.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303165996 – This article reports that the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags starting June 1, 2022, as part of the emirate’s Single-Use Plastic Policy, aiming to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and promote sustainability.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303037339 – This source details EAD’s announcement of the single-use plastic bag ban effective from June 2022, highlighting the policy’s goal to gradually reduce single-use plastic consumption and encourage reusable alternatives.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/environment-agency-abu-dhabi-marks-significant-progress-towards-declaring-abu-dhabi-free-of-single-use-plastic/ – This article discusses EAD’s progress in reducing single-use plastic bags, reporting a 95% reduction in their use within the first year of the ban, equivalent to over 172 million bags saved.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/environment-agency-abu-dhabi-announces-ban-on-single-use-plastic-bags-from-june-2022/ – This source announces EAD’s ban on single-use plastic bags from June 2022, as part of the emirate’s integrated single-use plastic policy introduced in 2020, aiming to reduce single-use plastic consumption and promote sustainability.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/environment-agency-abu-dhabi-marks-significant-progress-towards-declaring-abu-dhabi-free-of-single-use-plastic/ – This article highlights EAD’s significant progress towards declaring Abu Dhabi free of single-use plastic, reporting a 95% reduction in single-use plastic bags in the first year of the ban, equivalent to over 172 million bags saved.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/environment-agency-abu-dhabi-announces-ban-on-single-use-plastic-bags-from-june-2022/ – This source announces EAD’s ban on single-use plastic bags from June 2022, as part of the emirate’s integrated single-use plastic policy introduced in 2020, aiming to reduce single-use plastic consumption and promote sustainability.
- https://menews247.com/eads-bottle-return-scheme-drives-record-recycling-success-with-sparklo/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a 2023-launched scheme with 2024 operational data, indicating recent activity. However, Menews247’s reliability is unclear, and the absence of corroborating reports from major outlets like Reuters introduces uncertainty about the claims’ recency. The scheme’s achievements align with typical sustainability press release timelines.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Quotes from Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Maxim Kaplevich lack direct online corroboration. Menews247 appears to be the primary source, suggesting either original reporting or unverified sourcing. No earlier references found, increasing originality likelihood but lowering verifiability confidence.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
Menews247 lacks established credibility as a widely recognised outlet. The narrative originates from an obscure publication, reducing certainty. Quotes from EAD and Sparklo representatives lend some legitimacy but require independent verification.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims align with Abu Dhabi’s 2027 emissions targets and global sustainability trends. Metrics (e.g., 23 million items collected) are specific but unverified. The absence of red flags (e.g., improbable figures) suggests plausible reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents specific, plausible sustainability metrics and quotes officials directly, but its origin on Menews247—an unverified outlet—and lack of independent corroboration necessitate caution. While no overt inconsistencies emerge, confidence is limited to the publication’s credibility.
