The sixth edition of Middle East Waste & Recycling Awards ceremony was held on November 22 in Dubai. Instituted by the Waste & Recycling magazine since 2018, the prestigious MEWAR Awards recognises outstanding individuals and organisations in the Middle East that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in their respective fields, and have significantly contributed to environmental sustainability along with economic viability, ultimately contributing to the vision of the region’s governments of a greener future.

The magazine honoured individuals and organisations in 17 different categories related to the environmental sector. The award ceremony witnessed the coming together of about 250 representatives from the waste management, recycling, packaging and other environmental industries.

The awards witnessed tremendous enthusiasm in participation from the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain  among others. The entries were judged by a panel of prominent and respected experts, advocates and spokespeople in the focus area of environmental sustainability.

The jury included Brian Taylor, Senior Editor for Recycling Today Media Group, USA; Angus Macpherson, Founder and Managing Director of The Environment Exchange, UK; Dr. Steve Wong, Founder & CEO of Fukutomi, Dr. Udayan Banerjee, sustainability expert, Eng. Mohammad Ibrahim Mahmoud Mosa, Senior Specialist, Hazardous Materials and Waste Policy & Regulations at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Sonia Nasser, Principal Solid Waste Engineer with Tetra Tech Solid Waste West, California;  Greg Dode, Senior Project Manager in the Waste Management Team at KEO International Consultants, also the Consulting Partner for MEWAR Awards; Dr. Rashed Karkain, an Emirati Innovator and Researcher, Founder and Managing Director of Sustainable Development Research and Training Institute; Kumayl Ahmed Al Lawati, Vice President of Business Development at be’ah, Oman; and Sara Jackson, Technical Director, Circular Packaging Association. 

Special recognition

In 2019, we introduced an initiative, where we recognise one key personality in the sector, who has had a positive influence on the development of the industry in the region and globally. And in line with this initiative, this year we recognised Saifee Jani, Chairman of Paper Link International, for his invaluable contribution to the paper recycling industry and circular economy. 

Here is the list of the winners who took home the Gold & Silver trophies 

Technology Innovation of the Year 
Gold:  BEEAH 
Silver:  Edge Innovate

Shortlisted Nominees

• Beeah
• CDE
• Edge Innovates
• Full Bin Mena LLC
• Recapp by Veolia
• Panorama LLC

Food Waste Initiative of the Year

Gold: SIG

Silver: Expo City Dubai

Shortlisted Nominees

• Expo City Dubai
• JA The Resort
• Kings Premium
• RMAL Hospitality
• SIG
• The Waste Lab

Best Waste Diversion/Reduction Initiative (Government Sector)

Gold: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi ( EAD)

Silver: Ras al Khaimah Economic Zone Authority

Plastics Recycling Company of the Year (Manufacturer/Processor)

Gold: Masan Plastic Factory 

Silver: Aptal Global Trading LLC

            Consent FZCO

Shortlisted Nominees

• Aptal Global Trading LLC

• Consent FZCO

• FAM Recycling FZCO

• Masab Plastic Factory Co

• Al Ghori Plastic Recycling Factory LLC

Best Waste Diversion Initiative (Private Sector)

Gold: Sobha Constructions LLC

Silver: RECAPP by Veolia

Shortlisted Nominees

• RECAPP by Veolia

• Sobha Constructions LLC

• SIG

• United Development Company

Medical Waste Management Best Practice Award

Gold: Cleanco Waste Treatment LLC 

Silver: International Modern Hospital

Shortlisted Nominees

• International Modern Hospital (Silver)

• Aster Clinics/DM Healthcare

• Cleanco Waste Treatment LLC (Gold)

• Emirates Hospital Jumeirah

Personality of the Year (Waste Management)

Gold: Eng Saeed Safar, Dubai Municipality 

Gold: Saleh Ali Al Qasir, Suhul Al Beeah  

Shortlisted Nominees

• Basem Abu Aneineh, Roshn

• Eng Saeed Safar, DM 

• Saleh Ali Al Qasir, Suhul Al Beeah

 Paper Recycling Company of the Year 

Gold: Paperchase international

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Recycling Company of the Year (OEM) Award

Gold: HP Computing and Printing ME LLC 

Waste Management Company of the Year

Gold:   Imdaad 

Silver: Green Vision Consultant 

Shortlisted Nominees

• Envirol

• Royal Commission of Jubail

• Suhul al beeah

• Imdaad

• Green Vision Consultant  

Metals Recycling Company of the Year (Manufacturer/ Processor)

Gold: PGI Group

Gold: Al Qaryan Group

Silver: Al Thail Metal Recycling Company 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• PGI Group (Gold)

• Al Thail Metal Recycling Company

• Ducab Metals LLC

• Al Qaryan Group

• RKG International FZC

• Sharif Metals Group

• Sun Metal Group

 Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Gold: Beeah 

Silver: Atlantis Dubai 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Sobha Constructions LLC

• Dubai Municipality

• Beeah (Gold)

• Atlantis Dubai (Silver)

•  JA the Resort

• The Skin Concept bath & Beauty

• RAK Economic Zone

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Recycling Company of the Year (WEEE Processor)

Gold: Dubatt Battery Recycling

Silver: Madenat Al Nokhba Recycling Services LLC 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Dubatt Battery Recycling 

• Madenat Al Nokhba Recycling Services LLC 

• Rethree Global Recycling

• Green Mile Recycling LLC 

Recycled Product of the Year

Gold: Alpha Plastics ME Industries LLC

Silver: Agthia Group 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Thaely

• Alpha Plastics ME Industries LLC 

• Lootah Biofuels

• Mariana Malni

• Agthia Group 

 Rising Star Award

Gold: Omar Al Sharif, Al Sharif Metals Group DMCC  

Gold: Roshan, Yes Full Circle Waste Collection and Treatment LLC  

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Omar Al Sharif, Al Sharif Metals Group DMCC  
• Roshan, Yes Full Circle Waste Collection and Treatment LLC  
• Matteo Boffa, Serial Impact Entrepreneur & Investor
• Nidhi Jalu, TMKN Global Resources

 Sustainable Packaging Company of the Year

Gold: Alpla Plastic ME Industries

Silver: Hotpack Packaging Industries 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Alpla Plastic ME Industries 

• SIG

• Hotpack Packaging Industries 

• Grandiose

  Personality of the Year (Recycling)

Gold: Anshul Gupta, PGI Group 

Shortlisted Nominees 

• Muzamil Haji Amin Gadawala, Ala Group

•  Ibrahim Abdul Rahim, Al Thail Metal Recycling LLC

• Anshul Gupta, PGI Group (Gold)

• Rajesh Agarwal, RKG International Fzc

Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor: Al Qaryan Group
Silver Sponsor: SAF
Integrated Waste Management Partner: Imdaad
Category Sponsor: Yes Full Circle 
Entertainment Sponsor: Green Vision Consultants
Dinner Sponsor: RKG International
Lanyard Sponsor: Dr. Linen
Badge Sponsor: GMA Garnet Group
Photo Booth Sponsor: Consent FZCO