News | 06/06/2017

Averda teams up with Uber and Dubai's tech community for World Environment Day e-waste initiative

Averda have partnered with Uber, Dubai Science Park (DSP) and Dubai Internet City (DIC) to launch an innovative electronic waste collection drive to mark World Environment Day. The initiative was inspired by the UAE Vision 2021, which seeks to create a cleaner and more sustainable Dubai by transferring 75 per cent of the waste produced in the UAE from landfill for recycling.

 

Between 2nd July and 4th July members of the public in the following locations can request an Uber to pick up electronic-waste materials, including old laptops, phones, printers and monitors:
·         Dubai Science Park
·         Dubai Internet City
·         Dubai Media City
·         Dubai Studio City
·         Dubai Knowledge Park
·         Dubai International Academic City and
·         Dubai Outsource City.

The items will then be transported to Averda’s facilities, ensuring the disposal and recycling of the collected e-waste. It is the second year running that Averda and Uber have participated in the successful initiative.

Philippa Charlton, Averda’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Today, across the world, there are millions of tonnes of electronic waste that is not being collected, treated or disposed of properly. Averda seeks disruptive approaches to increase the recycling and proper handling of e-waste through several campaigns launched in all our markets. Averda is delighted to be involved in this great initiative and awareness drive.”

On average, a UAE resident produces 17.2 kilogram of e-waste every year. In 2015, this amounted to nearly 600,000 tonnes in the region. By 2020, e-waste generation in the GCC is expected to reach a staggering 900,000 tonnes, a UN-sponsored research project found.

Our mission is to create a cleaner world and better lives, and we are constantly looking for new ways to reduce the production of waste and increase awareness of sustainable practices. Averda passionately supports World Environment Day, launched by United Nations in 1972. It is the biggest annual event for environmental action and since its inception, global citizens have taken part and organized thousands of events, from neighbourhood clean-ups to action against wildlife crime.

Averda is proud to have operated in the UAE since 2009, sorting 1,677 tons of waste every day.