Envirol expands Dubai food waste recycling plant

Envirol, a joint venture initiative between Dubai Municipality and BLUE (a member of Alserkal Group), will be expanding  its current recycling facilities in Al Aweer, Dubai.

The expansion work for the recycling plant, the MENA region’s first grease trap waste treatment plant, is expected to be completed by year end 2017.

“The country's hospitality segment has witnessed rapid growth over the years, with food establishments producing massive amounts of food waste every day--prompting authorities to raise their concerns on what to do with these wastes,” said Envirol plant manager Elham Pourtangestani, Plant Manager.

He added: “Being a leading edible oil waste recycling facility and the only grease trap waste treatment plant in the Middle East, Envirol remains steadfast in its commitment to provide smart waste management solutions through the use of innovative and efficient technologies. The planned expansion of our facilities is expected to help address the challenge of recycling millions of tons of FOG waste generated by more than 14,000 food establishments in Dubai.”

The Al Aweer plant currently handles 50,000 gallons of waste per day. The plant's expansion, which will include the upgrading of its equipment and infrastructure, will increase the plant's recycling capacity to up to 100,000 gallons of waste per day, double the amount of fat, oil and grease (FOG) waste generated by commercial kitchens located across Dubai on a daily basis.

Envirol targets waste produced by food establishments and eateries across Dubai. Grease traps, which are a common feature in these restaurants and busy food outlets, work by separating fats, oil and grease from waste water. Dubai Municipality has mandated 'the installation of grease traps in every kitchen, along with its proper cleaning, sending of mandatory report and kitchen should deal only with permitted grease trap waste contractor, with all waste being transported to Envirol for recycling", a statement from Envirol said.

The plant's expansion proves to be timely as the need to properly recycle FOG waste has become increasingly urgent; a reduction in FOG waste entering the city's drains and sewers helps decrease the risk of flooding city streets.