A dumpster at a UAE overflows with rubbish.
A dumpster at a UAE overflows with rubbish.
A dumpster at a UAE overflows with rubbish.
A dumpster at a UAE overflows with rubbish.

Shoppers in Dubai generating half a kilo of waste on average mall trip


Liz Cookman
  • English
  • Arabic

Shoppers in Dubai malls produce over a half a kilogram of waste per person per visit, a survey has found.

According to information gathered from seven malls by UAE-based, sustainability-led facilities management company Farnek, each visitor used an average of 511 kWh per square metre of energy, used 10.86 litres of water and produced 520 grams of waste.

“511 kWh is enough energy to run a fridge-freezer continuously for 365 days,” added Markus Oberlin, CEO of Farnek.

500g is roughly equivalent to three apples or a loaf of bread.

The malls submitted data about their consumption figures and the general characteristics of their buildings, and the figures were calculated after taking in to consideration other variables, such as the amount of outdoor space and air conditioning by type and distribution.

“A low performing mall uses almost twice as much energy as a better performing mall, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive energy management plan and the savings it can make,” added Oberlin.

The waste generation ratio per visitor varied between 250g and 1.08kg, with malls on average diverting just 23 per cent of their waste from landfill and into recycling.

“A poor waste performing shopping centre generates over four times as much waste as the best performing mall and given the increased Dubai landfill rates that will come into force on 18th May, savings here could be considerable," said Mr Oberlin.

Under recycling guidelines for malls that were first announced in 2012, shopping centres are required to segregate recycleable plastic, paper, metals and glass, from non-recycleable items. Malls were expected to comply by the end of 2013 as part of a plans to ensure as much as 75 per cent of Dubai's waste was recycled by this year.

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Read more:

How to get rid of your e-waste in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai building Dh2.5 billion facility to convert rubbish to electricity

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Later this year, Dubai Municipality is to raise its fee of Dh10 per trip for trucks to dump waste in landfill sites to Dh80 per tonne of waste, and Dh100 by 2020.

The Municipality offers discounts for those who segregate rubbish into recyclables and non-recyclables.

The UAE has one of the highest waste generation rates, with each person in the country estimated to produce on average up to 2.3kg of waste every day and Dubai generates 8,200 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, according to figures released in 2016 - that is 15 per cent above the global average.

The emirate has set a target of zero landfill waste by 2030.

Farnek's key findings of are to be showcased at the RetrofitTech Dubai Summit which starts on 10th April.

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

TALE OF THE TAPE

Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm

Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Director: Jesse Armstrong

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The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
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Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

Company profile

Company name: Nestrom

Started: 2017

Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi

Based: Jordan

Sector: Technology

Initial investment: Close to $100,000

Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million