Dulsco warns of socioeconomic risks posed by improper waste management in growing construction sector

The move is also in support of the UAE Government Strategy that was recently unveiled by H.H. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE Government's strategic plan includes specific provisions regarding environmental protection to achieve sustainable development.

"The construction sector across the region has achieved phenomenal growth, and this has created corresponding challenges regarding waste disposal. This issue needs to be addressed immediately because improper waste management can deliver a devastating negative impact on the environment, health and ultimately the welfare of the region,"

said Mark J Siddorn, General Manager, Dulsco Waste Management Services (WMS).

"We strongly support initiatives such as the UAE Government's move to incorporate in its strategic plan provisions about strengthening the enforcement of environmental policies and providing incentives to encourage the participation of the private sector with regards to environmental compliance programs," added Siddorn.

An important aspect in waste management is creating awareness among all construction personnel about the importance of proper waste disposal. Organisations have been urged to educate their staff about proper waste segregation, which will greatly help facilitate waste disposal and recycling. Also, another critical challenge in waste management is the process of collecting waste from construction sites. There are a number of factors that affect this operation, including traffic during peak hours.

"We have to be constantly on the move to keep pace with the increasing number of areas that need to be cleared of waste. To alleviate this problem, Dulsco's waste collection team operates 24 hours daily and we have also initiated talks with the governmental authorities to identify other innovative ways to improve efficiency and productivity in the construction sector," said Siddorn.

The construction sector churns out large volumes of waste everyday, which is compounded when construction sites operate on a 24-hour basis. Up to 70 per cent of construction waste is made up of concrete and tarmac, while the rest are wood and plastics, which can all be recycled.

"Projects such as the waste recycling plants initiated by Al Rostamani and Dubai Municipality will greatly improve waste management performance. There are also plans to create waste-to-energy plants, which will bring even greater benefits to the society. Ultimate, the goal is to be able to recycle all construction wastes," said Siddorn.

Dulsco has been widely recognised as a leader in waste management in the region. Recently, the company won a major award in the inaugural Middle East Facilities Management Excellence Awards as it was cited as the Best Facilities Management Service Provider in the Middle East, in recognition of the organisation's excellent waste and facilities management services.