Abu Dhabi Recognizes Efforts of Strategic Partners

As part of the ceremony, the Center rewarded relevant authorities for their meaningful initiatives that supported the objective of environment management, including national flagship organizations such as Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, Higher Corporation of Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), Statistics Centre ? Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre.

Contractors including environmental service providers, as well as cleaning and pest control companies were recognized for the delivery of round-the-clock and efficient support. Companies across Abu Dhabi that succeeded in reducing their waste production were also applauded. Honoring the exemplary commitment of employees at the Center, the event also gave away accolades in several categories including best worker, best driver, and best supervisor.

Dr Salem Al Kaabi, acting General Manager, Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi, said: "Ensuring the cleanliness and protecting the natural environment of Abu Dhabi is the responsibility of every individual and public sector authority - which we sometimes tend to forget. It is very encouraging to see companies recognize their onus towards this obligation and take responsibility for reducing their waste and carbon footprint. It is even more exciting to see individuals and companies opting to invest their resources in the indoor Tracking. As the authority for waste management in Abu Dhabi, we believe it is our role to identify, honor and encourage every meaningful effort in this direction."

On the sidelines of the event, the Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA). The agreement that was signed by Dr Salem Al Kaabi and His Excellency Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef, Under Secretary of DMA, paves the way for collaboration in strategic waste management projects for the long term benefit of the emirate.

Following the signing of the MoU, Dr Salem Al Kaabi said: "The Center reiterates its keenness to collaborate more closely with other government organizations based on the goals of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Through the agreement, DMA will help us consolidate our efforts to ensure the delivery of a sustainable environment and protect the health needs of our community. Together, we will work towards a shared goal of raising the bar of public services and quality of life in Abu Dhabi."

His Excellency Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef said: "Signing the MOU reflects the sincere intent of both parties to forge partnerships towards maintaining a safe and clean ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and safeguarding the community's wellbeing. The objective gains added significance for us at the Department of Municipal Affairs, given our mandate to regulate areas that concern the safety and health of residents and visitors. Our collaboration with the Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi will facilitate us in achieving our common goal of ensuring that Abu Dhabi is perceived as one of the best places to live, work and visit."

Summarizing the Center's achievements, Engineer Hani Hosni, Head of EHS Sector, Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi, said: "Through awareness campaigns, the Center has promoted best practices in reducing waste from the source, reusing and recycling...We have also achieved about 90 percent rate of Emiratization among our workforce."

He added: "On the operational front, in addition to implementing a GPS system to track over 4,700 vehicles dedicated to waste transfer the Center has inked an MoU with Ittihad Rails to reuse recyclable debris from construction and demolition activities. We have also gained authorization from the Abu Dhabi Center of Environment, Health and Safety as the emirate's regulator in waste management and joined the Abu Dhabi Sustainably Group. Furthermore, the Center's plastic and tire recycling facility in Al Ain won the Environmental Performance Card 2012 in the industrial facilities category from the Ministry of Environment and Water."

The Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi focuses on the promotion of best practices in waste management, including reuse, recycling and waste segregation at source. The Center periodically runs educational and awareness initiatives for the community at large in line with Abu Dhabi's long term vision.

The ambitious plan, driven jointly by UTL and Vodafone, was to introduce automation that would significantly reduce costs, improve service levels and shrink the footprint of the entire picking and packing operation within the warehouse.

James Hodgetts was the programme manager working on behalf of UTL on this major project, he comments, “My brief was to select a partner who could help us to develop a completely bespoke solution to automate around 80% of the volume of single item orders which were all previously processed by hand.

“We shortlisted two companies for the project, Axiom and one other. The contract was awarded to Axiom as they demonstrated a superior knowledge and expertise of automated systems. They’re a forward thinking company and of the people we spoke to they were right out in front in terms of new technology.