Sustainability focus for Qatar waste conference

This report is contributed by the organisers of the Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference in Qatar.

On the first day of the conference, participants shared their knowledge and experiences in waste management, including waste reduction, recycling, and innovations in proper management.

The conference was inaugurated with an opening ceremony that included a speech by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality, who showcased Qatar’s efforts in the field of waste management in line with the State’s National vision 2030.

The keynote speakers, including Eng. Jawahr M. Alsulaiti from the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar, and Mr. Meqbel Madhour Al Shammari from the General Cleanliness Department, Ministry of Municipality GCD, shared the efforts and achievements of the Waste Recycling and Treatment Department at the Qatar World Cup 2022.The afternoon sessions focused on hazardous waste management, modern technologies, and artificial intelligence in waste management, and successful experiences in the field of waste management in the region.

On the second and final day of the conference, a ministerial panel discussion on sustainability was held, led by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality, and His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. They discussed Qatar’s focus on the circular economy sector, sustainability, and recycling, and shared the national strategy for environment and climate change 2030, particularly the fourth pillar related to waste recycling and circular economy.

The discussion also highlighted the role of legal legislation in limiting and reducing waste and emphasised sorting at the source. Other speakers discussed waste management laws and regulations in the region, investment opportunities in the field of waste management, and community institutions in the field of waste.

The conference also featured an exhibition of various waste management products and services, and an award ceremony to recognise outstanding efforts in the field of waste management and sustainability. Overall, the conference was a success in promoting sustainable practices and encouraging collaboration towards building a better future for our environment and planet.

2nd Day

The second and final day of the 3rd Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference and Exhibition held at the Sheraton Doha, AlMajlis Ballroom, was concluded with an engaging ministerial panel discussion on sustainability. The panel was led by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, Minister of Municipality, and His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

During the discussion, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, the Minister of Municipality, highlighted the State of Qatar’s focus on the circular economy sector, sustainability, and recycling under the leadership of the Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He shared that the Ministry of Municipality currently recycles 54% of the waste and aims to reach 95% by the end of 2030. The minister also emphasised the allocation of 153 lands to support various recycling industries and the importance of private sector involvement in developing the Al-Afjah area for recycling industries.

Legislation

Furthermore, the minister stressed the role of legal legislation in limiting and reducing waste and encouraged sorting at the source. He also spoke of future initiatives to integrate artificial intelligence into sorting and recycling operations.

On the other hand, Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, shared the ministry’s interest in waste management and recycling, as evidenced by the implementation of the Qatar National Strategy for Environment and Climate Change 2030, particularly the fourth pillar related to waste recycling and circular economy. The minister also highlighted the national guide for waste treatment, which highlights the necessity of reusing 40% to 50% of construction waste in construction operations.

The minister emphasised that the role of the Ministry is supervisory and that they aspire to issue legislation that helps investors market the products resulting from recycling operations. He also spoke of their aim to achieve the conference’s vision of reaching zero waste by reducing landfills, recycling waste, and benefiting from them.

Education

Dr. Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani further spoke about the new environmental educational curricula in cooperation with the Ministry of Education that includes environmental awareness and focuses on the importance of preserving the environment. He also spoke of their aim to increase awareness programs and workshops to include all segments of society and raise awareness of recycling, sorting, and waste utilisation issues.

The second day also witnessed several other speakers and an award ceremony to recognise the outstanding efforts in the field of waste management and sustainability.

The 3rd Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference and Exhibition was a great success in sharing knowledge and experiences in the field of waste management, with a focus on sustainable practices. The conference was attended by experts from various fields, including representatives from government, private sectors, and NGOs. The conference aimed to foster collaboration and encourage sustainable practices to build a better future for our environment and our planet.

Feedback

The organisers reported positive feedback from the various attendees and participants who said it was evident that the event was fruitful and informative. Many of the attendees expressed their gratitude towards the initiative taken by the Ministry of Municipality and the importance of recycling for a better future.

Blessie Manaloto, the Assistant Hygiene Manager at The Royal Riviera hotel, thanked the Ministry of Municipality for pushing such programs, which are essential for a better tomorrow. Similarly, Bassel Hammoud, the Head of Sales and Marketing from Ideal Solutions, found the conference to be fruitful and emphasised the importance of recycling.

The Managing Partner of Apex Waste Solutions Management, who was also a participant in the exhibition, considered the conference extremely valuable. However, he felt that the state’s efforts in promoting recycling and sustainability needed faster implementation. On the other hand, Falak Hussein Taha, the Vice President of the Peace and Sustainable Environment Organization in Vienna, found that what was tackled in the conference can be fully implemented in daily life at home, in the community, and on an awareness level, and suggested inviting worldwide organisations and foundations pioneering in this field.

Similarly, the Sustainability Manager of Blue Crescent Engineering and the coordinator of the same company, Ajmal Abbas, considered the conference a great opportunity to gain additional knowledge, especially in the field of recyclable waste. Roshni AbdulRahman, an Environmental Safety Technician at Hamad Medical Corporation, found the conference very informative and appreciates the steps that Qatar is taking towards a green future, with HMC supporting every step of the way.

Practical

Hiteshkumar Majithia, an Environment Supervisor at Qatar Steel, expressed that he attends the conference every year and finds it informative and practical. Hillary Green, a Senior Officer in Circular Economy at Global Green Growth Institute, found the conference valuable, with knowledgeable speakers and exhibitors.

Azhan bin Hasan, an Advisor in Climate Change/Sustainability, stated that the conference met his expectations but would have liked more interactions and workshops for better engagement. AbdulRahman Al Kuwari, who works in waste management at Qatar Shell, finds the country’s efforts in promoting recycling and sustainability interesting but believes there is room for improvement.

Overall, it is evident that the conference was well-received by the participants and served as a platform for valuable discussions and ideas regarding sustainability and recycling.