By Peter Alagos

Business Reporter

Qatar would need to establish more paper recycling facilities in the next two to three years, an expert in the printing and packaging sector has suggested.

“An expansion on the paper recycling front is a natural outcome of the expected increase in the use of paper products and packaging materials,” Khaled Abdou, chairman of the Chamber of Printing & Packaging Industries, told
Gulf Times.

A guaranteed minimum volume of paper waste is a must to set up a recycling facility for paper, he said.

Abdou was speaking on the sidelines of a recent conference to announce the Qatar Plastic, Printing & Packaging (QPPP) Exhibition, slated for October 26-28 at the Qatar National
Convention Centre.

Consumption of plastic and non-biodegradable materials is also on the rise and there would be requirements to establish appropriate recycling plants too, he pointed out.

“We are also expecting a huge move in the manufacture of hygienic paper such as tissue paper and napkins, as well as packaging products. Both sectors are
moving up,” Abdou said.

With a population of more than 90mn, Abdou said Egypt has at least 30 recycling plants for paper and seven facilities that recycle non-biodegradable materials such as plastics and glass.

“In Egypt, we have a lot of waste that allows us to recycle paper. Recycling is a very important environmental issue and worldwide, many are looking into recycling,” Abdou said.

Used paper materials are recycled into packaging products such as corrugated boards and duplex boards, which provides added value to Egypt’s rapidly-developing packaging industry.

When asked about the increase in the use of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials in Qatar, Abdou said he will visit the country’s recycling facilities to see how Egypt can help Qatar manage and recycle its plastic waste.

GCC business consultant Dr Abdul Latif al-Khaja also said the Qatar government would be implementing environmental protection laws and regulations on recycling waste such as paper.

When asked why the QPPP Exhibition has a limited number of companies in the field of recycling, al-Khaja said it is an inaugural event and there are plans to hold it annually.

“The plan is to have this event on an annual basis; I feel that in the coming years we will get more support from the recycling sector and from the government because we have embedded in them the confidence,” al-Khaja added.