A recycling programme conducted recently by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (Adnec) in support of Abu Dhabi’s environmental agenda will transform the centre into one of the region’s most eco-friendly event venues, Adnec says.

The centre completed the installation of recycling stations throughout the exhibition complex in late June 2009. After only a month of operation, the entire system was able to recycle almost 5,000 kg of paper, carton, magazine and plastic and aluminium can waste. Adnec intends to recycle other materials in the future as technology becomes available in the UAE.

“The Abu Dhabi Government looks to sustainability as a key component of its development goals towards 2030, so we wanted to improve our own sustainable strategy to further minimise our ecological footprint,” explained Humaid Al Dhaheri, director of finance and human resources, Adnec.

After a year of brainstorming and close coordination with recycling experts, we’ve been able to come up with a system that perfectly complements the capital’s green agenda and fits well with our operational requirements as a leading international exhibition centre.”

The recycling units are designed according to UK standards and incorporate modifications to suit the specific needs of the facility. Each station provides four chambers for separating pulp and paper, plastic, cans and regular waste. The refuse is transported to a loading area and kept in colour-coded bins, where they are picked up by Dulsco, the first Integrated Management System–certified waste management company in the UAE. 

“Through this project, Adnec has effectively taken the lead in promoting higher environmental standards within the events industry of the region. This system will help us to identify, investigate and resolve the unique waste management challenges faced by our venue. The result will be more eco-friendly practices that will help in enhancing Abu Dhabi’s image as a ‘green’ capital city,” said Al Dhaheri.

Environmental campaign
Adnec initiated its “Re-use, Reduce, Recycle” environmental campaign in January of 2008 to coincide with the launch of the highly successful World Future Energy Summit.

The campaign aimed to address exhibition waste produced by the centre’s numerous events which eventually influenced the conceptualisation of the present recycling strategy.

The Adnec-owned venue ExCeL London also leads the way on recycling initiatives and sustainable work practices at the UK capital’s largest exhibition centre.  The UK venue partners with its clients and suppliers to develop and promote the most sustainable events possible. In 2008, 75 per cent of waste produced was recycled and it also reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by an impressive 27 per cent.

Development projects surrounding Adnec include Capital Centre (a mixed-use development of 23 hotel, residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre), Capital Gate (an iconic 35-storey gravity-defying  tower, featuring the 5-star hotel Hyatt at Capital Centre, Aloft Hotel (which links directly to the exhibition centre) and a 2.4 km Marina zone.

In addition, it is expanding within the region with The Al Ain Convention Centre, a residential and business micro city around a state-of-the-art convention centre.