A Qatari recycling company is expected to supply the local market with 100% recycled carton and paper bags by the end of the year.
“We are constantly developing and upgrading prime paper, allowing it to compete globally and regionally,” Elite Paper Recycling (ERP) chairman Abdallah al-Suwaidi told Gulf Times.
“Our research and development (R&D) and laboratory team strives daily to innovate and produce top quality in response to the paper industry needs and requirements in Qatar and worldwide,” he continued.
Currently, ERP collects and recycles all types pf paper, cardboard, and tissue to produce kraft paper reel, test liner, fluting, and pulp reel. The company covers the local market with 20% of the products, while the surplus or 80% is exported to Asia, Middle East, and the Far East.
From two destinations during the pre-blockade period, ERP has expanded to over 20 destinations, including China, Bangladesh, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Ethiopia, and Singapore. Other destinations are still under negotiation, said al-Suwaidi.
According to al-Suwaidi, the company introduced the recycled egg pallets in 2018 to cater to the local poultry industry. But other plans are also in the pipeline to cater to the needs of the market, he noted.
“By the end of 2019, EPR will introduce for the first time in the country 100 % ‘Made in Qatar’ and 100% recycled carton boards and paper bags to further meet the rising local market demand.
“The growing strategy and business plan consist also of introducing a recycled tissue factory, not to mention the company’s fast growing ‘Green Fleet’ that will cater to other areas in Qatar,” he stressed.
On the current volume of waste paper being recycled by the company, al-Suwaidi said EPR has reached over 3,500 tonnes a month with a production of over 100 tonnes per day with its collection team working 24/7 to assure higher collection.
“Today EPR has over 80 trucks covering all of Qatar with over 2,500 dumpsters deployed in many areas. EPR is proud to collect waste paper and cardboard from homes, schools, and universities, as well as from the private and public sectors,” he emphasised.
Asked if the company plans to sign agreements and partnerships in the remaining part of 2019, al-Suwaidi said ERP is fasttracking cooperation with important community partners.
“Many plans in the pipeline are being prepared and developed with stronger entities. These will be revealed in the next coming months. Our main focus now is the ‘Eco Dome’ that we are dedicated to finalise and launch by the end of October, and will host government VIPs and many CEOs,” he noted.
Al-Suwaidi said EPR has set a five-year aggressive communication strategy and launched a series of CSR and community public awareness programmes, as well as mega events aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the second national development strategy (2018-2022), such as ‘Green Embassies of Qatar’, ‘Green Partners’, ‘Eco Dome’, ‘The Green Fleet’, and ‘Eco School’, among others.
Asked to assess the recycling culture in Qatar and future growth of the industry, al-Suwaidi said: “A few years back, the environment and recycling subject was not that popular in Qatar and in the region. However, the concept of recycling has quickly received traction this year. With natural disasters like the Amazon forest fires and climate change, the community started engaging in recycling.
“Raising awareness on being responsible and encouraging people to start reusing, reducing, and recycling waste is making more sense, especially with the younger generation. We are working with over 250 schools and universities in spreading awareness among the youth, and we expect to see a major change and to create a huge impact in Qatar and in the region.”
Related Story