Tabreed partners with UAE-based Sparklo to install 16 reverse vending machines across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, incentivising recycling and advancing the country’s circular economy and decarbonisation efforts.
Tabreed, which happens to be the biggest district cooling company in the region, has teamed up with UAE-based cleantech company Sparklo to roll out some pretty smart recycling setups across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Essentially, this move aims to weave circular economy practices into everyday life.
According to Tabreed, the plan involves installing 16 reverse vending machines, affectionately called Sparklomats, in busy spots. One of these units is already up and running at Tabreed’s headquarters, and the remaining 15 are slated to be placed at popular destinations like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and several malls around Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These machines, you see, accept plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and in return, users can collect digital rewards through the Sparklo app.
Now, the company estimates that this network could collect over four million containers annually, that’s around 11,600 items every single day, and save roughly 637,400 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year. They say this effort aligns with the UAE’s ambitions for Net Zero by 2050 and their circular economy policies. Khalid Al Marzooqi, Tabreed’s CEO, expressed that, “At Tabreed, we firmly believe that innovation and collaboration are key to reaching the UAE’s Net Zero goals.” He added, “Partnering with Sparklo is a way to push towards decarbonization through new ideas and strategic partnerships. It helps us make our cooling services more sustainable overall. By introducing these smart recycling solutions across communities in Abu Dhabi, we’re not just focusing on our own operations, residents and visitors can actively participate in climate action too.”
Sparklo explains that the Sparklomat system combines material collection with behavioral incentives. Basically, users scan or log their returns in the Sparklo app and earn points they can redeem for discounts at grocery stores, taxis, and other services. Maxim Kaplevich, the founder of Sparklo, mentioned, “Sustainability works best when it’s embedded into people’s daily routines.” He added, “This partnership demonstrates how shared infrastructure and positive incentives can turn sustainable habits into everyday actions, and in the process, really drive some measurable progress.”
This partnership also supports Tabreed’s broader initiatives, including their Tabreed Cares program and their sustainability targets for 2024. These goals include their organizational Net Zero 2050 commitment, energy-efficient retrofits, and supply chain decarbonization efforts. Maha Sallam, who chairs Tabreed’s Social Sub-committee, highlighted that the rollout underscores “our focus on community,” emphasizing how the company’s sustainability mindset is shared across the brand. “Even the smallest contributions matter,” she said.
The initiative is also happening within a framework of industry and government programs. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) reports that its Bottle Return Scheme has already recovered over 2,000 tonnes of bottles since its launch. To date, more than 100 Sparklomats are active across the emirate, working with local retailers and waste operators. Data from EAD shows that last year alone, the scheme collected about 23 million recyclables, more than 544,000 kilograms of plastic and 18,000 kilograms of aluminum, and prevented over 3.5 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions. In fact, at one point, a Sparklomat processed over 8,500 items in a single day. That high throughput lends confidence to Sparklo and Tabreed’s view that strategically placed units can handle busy locations effectively.
The partnership really underscores two key pillars of UAE’s approach to resource management. First, deploying technology at scale, like these RVMs that automate sorting and offer incentives, can boost collection rates for targeted materials. Second, aligning private sector sustainability commitments with larger municipal and national initiatives helps create shared infrastructure, easing the way for circular systems to develop by sharing costs and benefits.
It’s worth noting, however, that turning collected materials into meaningful environmental benefits relies heavily on downstream processing and market demand for recycled content. While Tabreed and Sparklo see this project mainly as a way to make recycling more convenient and encourage positive behavior, they mention that the collected materials will feed into existing recycling streams. Still, they don’t specify which processors or markets will handle the recycling to produce new raw materials.
When it comes to companies claiming climate benefits, transparency about measurements and results becomes increasingly important. The reported CO₂ savings are based on Sparklo’s average collection data across the UAE and typical emission-factor calculations that estimate savings from avoided production and waste management. But, industry experts note that actual emissions avoided can vary significantly depending on factors like contamination, transportation distances, and local recycling efficiency, something independent audits or third-party verifications could help clarify.
The project also plays on behavioral design, rewards-based systems have proven more effective at boosting participation than simple, voluntary collection points. Sparklo’s approach, which offers tangible perks linked to recycling, is a classic example. Of course, how well it actually works depends a lot on user experience, the attractiveness of rewards, and how smoothly the machines fit into busy venues.
Looking ahead, as Abu Dhabi and the UAE accelerate their circular economy policies, this partnership between Tabreed and Sparklo highlights how utility companies are broadening their roles, beyond just cooling, to include community-focused sustainability infrastructure. People will be watching whether the pilot hits the four-million-container target, and how efficiently the collected materials are processed into recycled feedstock. If scaled thoughtfully and paired with transparent reporting, these kinds of collaborations could really support the country’s wider goals around decarbonization and resource circularity.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://meconstructionnews.com/65533/tabreed-partners-with-sparklo-to-promote-sustainability – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.sparklo.com/news/tabreed-and-sparklo-join-hands-to-boost-recycling-infrastructure – Sparklo, a UAE-based cleantech company, has partnered with Tabreed to enhance the country’s recycling infrastructure. The collaboration involves installing 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across the UAE. These machines will be strategically placed at Tabreed’s headquarters and high-traffic locations such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and select malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Residents can recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app. The initiative aims to collect over four million bottles and cans annually, preventing approximately 637,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year, aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy goals. This partnership underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into daily life through innovative solutions and community engagement.
- https://www.tabreed.ae/en/media – Tabreed, a leading district cooling company, has announced a sustainability partnership with Sparklo, a UAE-based cleantech firm. The collaboration involves installing 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), called Sparklomats, across the UAE. One Sparklomat has been installed at Tabreed’s headquarters, with 15 others to be placed in high-traffic locations, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and select malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This initiative enables residents to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app. The partnership is projected to collect over four million bottles and cans annually, preventing approximately 637,400 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year, directly contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy goals. The collaboration reflects Tabreed’s commitment to decarbonisation through innovation and strategic partnerships, extending sustainability efforts beyond its operations and creating opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in climate action.
- https://www.tabreed.ae/en/news/tabreed-launches-tabreed-cares-initiative-across-region – Tabreed has launched the ‘Tabreed Cares’ initiative, a sustainability partnership with Sparklo, a UAE-based cleantech company. The collaboration involves installing 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across the UAE. One Sparklomat has been installed at Tabreed’s headquarters, with 15 others to be placed in high-traffic locations, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and select malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This initiative enables residents to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app. The partnership is projected to collect over four million bottles and cans annually, preventing approximately 637,400 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year, directly contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy goals. The collaboration reflects Tabreed’s commitment to decarbonisation through innovation and strategic partnerships, extending sustainability efforts beyond its operations and creating opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in climate action.
- https://gulfbase.com/news/tabreed-sparklo-join-forces-to-boost-uae-s-recycling-infrastructure/213454 – Tabreed and Sparklo have partnered to enhance the UAE’s recycling infrastructure by installing 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across the country. One Sparklomat has been installed at Tabreed’s headquarters, with 15 others to be placed in high-traffic locations, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and select malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This initiative enables residents to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app. The partnership is projected to collect over four million bottles and cans annually, preventing approximately 637,400 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year, directly contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy goals. The collaboration reflects a commitment to decarbonisation through innovation and strategic partnerships, extending sustainability efforts beyond operations and creating opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in climate action.
- https://www.sustainabilitymea.com/tabreed-partners-sparklo-to-scale-smart-recycling-as-uae-accelerates-circular-economy-push/ – Tabreed and Sparklo have partnered to enhance the UAE’s recycling infrastructure by installing 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across high-traffic locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. One Sparklomat has been installed at Tabreed’s headquarters, with the remaining units set for deployment at prominent destinations, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World, and selected shopping malls. The machines enable residents and visitors to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app. This collaboration aims to collect over four million bottles and cans annually, preventing approximately 637,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year, aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy goals. The partnership underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into daily life through innovative solutions and community engagement.
- https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/environment/environment-agency-abu-dhabi-ead-recovers-2000-tonnes-of-bottles-since-launch-of-bottle-return-scheme/ – The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has reported the recovery of over 2,000 tonnes of bottles since the launch of its Bottle Return Scheme. In collaboration with partners from the retail industry, waste operators, and cleantech providers, including Sparklo, more than 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, have been deployed across Abu Dhabi. These machines are located in retail outlets of ADNOC, Lulu, and Carrefour, offering convenient return access points for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. In 2024 alone, the initiative collected 23 million recyclables, including more than 544,000 kg of plastic and 18,000 kg of aluminium. The cumulative impact of this initiative has prevented more than 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goal of a 22 per cent carbon emissions reduction by 2027. In a single-day milestone, one Sparklomat processed more than 8,500 items, setting a record for individual unit performance. This collaboration exemplifies the importance of partnerships, technology, and community engagement in creating a sustainable environmental impact.
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:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being December 16, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Khalid Al Marzooqi and Maxim Kaplevich are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release issued by Tabreed, a reputable organisation. However, the report was published on meconstructionnews.com, which is not a widely recognised news outlet. This raises some uncertainty regarding the source’s reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the installation of 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs) across the UAE and the projected collection of over four million bottles and cans annually are plausible and align with similar initiatives in the region. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a minor concern. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, and there is no excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents fresh and potentially original content, with direct quotes unique to this report. However, the reliance on a press release from a reputable organisation and publication on a less recognised outlet introduces some uncertainty regarding the source’s reliability. The claims made are plausible and consistent with regional initiatives, but the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets is a concern.
