The transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste falls under the high-risk service category. Hence safe and efficient handling of this waste stream becomes a matter of paramount importance. Abu Dhabi-based Cleanco Waste Treatment (CWT) is among the pioneers in this sector, providing yeoman service since 2009. A member of H.E. Yousef Khouri Group of Companies “The Cleanco Group”, CWT has been providing services for collection, transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous and medical waste in the region.

CWT handles different forms of hazardous wastes subject to its waste acceptance criteria. This includes all kinds of incinerable hazardous wastes and industrial wastes such as contaminated packaging, treated effluents, together with chemical waste such as solvents, acids and bases, paints and coatings, agricultural pesticides and oil contaminated rags and sludge waste. CWT also handles other special wastes which cannot be managed within the UAE, are exported to be treated in Europe.

Employing the best applicable techniques and best practices, the company manages several operation units from incinerators to pre-treatment units and landfills for treating hazardous waste by following EU directives and norms.

In line with Abu Dhabi’s vision

“At Cleanco, we envision a future where a circular economy is achieved in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, especially for the management of hazardous waste. This would include a plan for ‘cradle-to grave’ solutions for both incinerable and non-incinerable hazardous wastes from reuse and recycling to treatment and disposal. “We are confident that waste generators and Environmental Service Providers (ESPs) will work together to establish a sustainable waste management framework that supports the environmental goals of the UAE leaders and the Vision 2030 of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Dr. Khaled Khouri, CEO, Cleanco Waste Treatment.

Speaking about how the UAE’s policies support a sustainable solution for hazardous waste management, he said, “Abu Dhabi Emirate’s waste management system has, over the last decades, gone through significant changes in terms of responsibilities of regulatory agencies aiming at improving the waste management services. The Environmental Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) and the authorities concerned have jointly developed a Waste Management Strategy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 2014 to ensure high quality waste management services meeting international standards.”

In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, entities that collect, transport, transfer, trade (within the country), process, recycle, treat, dispose waste, or otherwise handle waste are licensed as registered environmental service providers for specific types of waste and activity, he added. “Furthermore, Tadweer has developed regulatory and institutional mechanisms with the Concerned Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for sustainable waste management. These are positive developments in the path to a sustainable future.”

Tackling challenges

Hazardous waste management comes with its own challenges, right from safety concerns to compliance requirements and CWT is well-equipped and experienced in addressing them.

Dr. Khaled Al Khouri said, “One of the main challenges in handling hazardous waste is the risk to the health and safety of staff and the public. CWT addresses this by providing first-class training and protective equipment to staff and by implementing strict health and safety procedures.”

Further, handling hazardous waste could have a potential impact on the environment. CWT ensures it minimises the environmental impact by implementing best practices in hazardous waste management in accordance with regulations.

Among the biggest challenges is the waste generators’ resistance. “Handling of hazardous waste can sometimes be met with waste generator’s resistance especially due to the higher disposing costs. The handling, transport, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste falls under the high-risk service category and therefore is inherently expensive.

To reduce the burden of cost on its clients, CWT diligently implements cost-effective technologies, processes, and systems, and optimises the use of resources and energy, Dr. Khaled Al Khouri noted. Besides this, the company engages with the hazardous waste generators, providing them information about the waste management process, and addressing any concerns or clarifications,” he pointed out.

As compliance with regulations holds greater significance in hazardous waste management, CWT implements strict compliance procedures, monitors operations, and upgrades processes and systems as necessary to ensure compliance. It ensures adherence to local and international regulations regarding the handling, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste.

New developments at CWT

CWT is currently looking to expand the scope of its services by building more disposal cells as part of the hazardous waste landfill. Recently, it added a pre-treatment unit, a neutralization and redox system. It is planning to add evaporation ponds and also a solidification and stabilization facility in the future as part of its new initiatives to extend the value proposition of its services to its clientele. “This will allow Cleanco Waste Treatment to become a principal provider of “Integrated Facilities” in this field with all-inone solutions made available for all our customer needs. Moreover, we are today working with our partners on projects to expand our presence in the GCC and MENA regions,” Dr. Khouri said.