It seems that the goal of transforming "garbage" into "treasures" has become a reality with "Expo 2020 Dubai," turning the dream of a more sustainable future into a "tangible reality." This is evidenced by various experiences that convert food waste into gourmet meals and edible coffee cups, or alternative biodegradable products, supporting the idea of "Expo 2020 Dubai" as the most sustainable iteration of the World Expo ever.
This ambition, while appearing lofty, clearly underscores the event's commitment to sustainability principles embedded in every step, from the buildings and constructions within the exhibition to efforts to enhance natural solutions, reduce carbon footprints, and conserve water. It further extends to recycling waste, a responsibility that "Expo 2020" shares with specialized institutions such as "Dulsco," the official waste management partner, which aims for an ambitious target of converting 85% of waste. The company adopts modern and innovative means to meet the event's needs while providing an unmatched international standard for waste management at the exhibition, capable of extracting "hidden values" and real treasures from disposed waste through innovative technologies, transforming used materials into products and even sustainable souvenirs.
One notable initiative is the placement of 1,500 smart and "talking" waste bins throughout the exhibition, which greet visitors and welcome them to "Expo." Powered by solar energy, these bins reflect the organizers' commitment to realizing ambitious sustainability goals and recycling. The sorting of various waste types has been facilitated through distinctly colored bins: black for general waste, yellow for COVID-related waste, blue for recyclables, and green for organic waste.
These smart bins are equipped with guiding labels, images, and playful awareness messages stating, "I am a smart bin, I can compact up to five times the amount of a regular bin," enhancing the visitor experience and raising awareness before directing them to discard their food scraps and other items in the appropriate containers.
In this context, Mehdi Mohammed, Chief Operations Officer in the Support Services Sector at "Dulsco," previously mentioned that the company employs ten vehicles that operate around the clock at the exhibition, fueled by biofuel to minimize carbon footprint, as well as electric vehicles that automatically transport collected waste from the "Expo" site to a purpose-built waste facility on site, ensuring effective recycling and recovery of materials that can be transformed into products usable by the entire community.
The recycling process may also include paper and cardboard services to create useful items like cup holders, elegant gift boxes, or recycling glass and plastics to produce "Expo" branded gifts. Additionally, plastic is recycled into retail items such as shirts and hats, while cooking oil is converted into biofuel to power the waste management vehicles at "Expo 2020 Dubai."
He noted that the estimated amount of waste expected to be collected during "Expo" is around 25,000 tons, adding that the company is prepared for any increase in quantities and can accommodate more than 30,000 tons throughout the exhibition period.
