The seventh edition of the Middle East Waste & Recycling Awards wrapped up in style, celebrating standout performers and recognising the industry’s biggest names. Instituted by the Waste & Recycling magazine since 2018, the prestigious MEWAR Awards recognises outstanding individuals and organisations in the Middle East that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in their respective fields, and have significantly contributed to environmental sustainability along with economic viability, ultimately contributing to the vision of the region’s governments of a greener future.

The magazine honoured individuals and organisations in 17 different categories related to the environmental sector. The ceremony witnessed the coming together of about 200 representatives from the waste management, recycling, packaging and other environmental industries. 

Over the years, the awards have evolved, welcoming entries from multinational corporations to start-ups, expanding categories to reflect emerging trends, and bringing together an esteemed Jury Panel with deep industry expertise. 

This year, the response was phenomenal. For the seventh cycle, over 150 entries were received from across the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and beyond. 

The MEWAR Awards would not be possible without the dedication, expertise, and insight of our jury, who have diligently reviewed every entry to ensure fairness, transparency, and recognition of true excellence.  The jury included Monir Bou Ghanem, Advisor – Environment Policy and Regulations, Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi; Salman Abdulla,  ESG & Sustainability, Emirates Global Aluminium; Mostafa Ahmed, Technical Lead, International Solid Waste Association; Stuart Fleming, E-waste Expert and founder, Enviroserve; Rajesh Garg, Group Chief Financial Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer, Landmark Group; Brian Taylor, Editor, Recycling Today Media Group; Mohammed  Al Surf,  Director of Carbon Department, Tilad Environment, & Founder of the Sustainability Professionals in Saudi Arabia Network, and Tariq Basmair, Business Development Director, CES Consulting. 

The event opened with a keynote address by Abdullah Alghamdi, Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer at Al Qaryan Group, and a special address by Surendra Patawari, Founder & Chairman, Gemini Corporation, Belgium

Special recognition

In 2019, we introduced an initiative, where we recognise key personalities in the sector, who have had a positive influence on the development of the industry in the region and globally. And in line with this initiative, this year we recognised a few personalities. Surendra Patawari, Founder & Chairman, Gemini Corporation, Belgium, and Mohab Ali Al Hinai,  Vice President of Sustainability and Circular Economy, Oman Environmental Service Holding Company (be'ah), for their contributions to advancing circular economy. Dr. Ajit Vishnu Salvi, Director of the Regional Centre for Urban & Environmental Studies at All India Institute of Local Self Government, Mumbai,  was felicitated for his remarkable contributions to advancing recycling innovations for Urban Local Bodies across India. Basem Abu Sneineh, Director of Resource and Waste Management at ROSHN Group, was recognised for his exceptional leadership in advancing zero-waste initiatives within communities, While Hashem Alsharif, the International Trade Director at Alsharif Metals Enterprises, was awarded the Rising Star recognition. The Awards also recognised Evogreen, for its remarkable strides in Hazardous Waste Management in the UAE. 

Here is the list of the winners who took home the Gold & Silver trophies: 

Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Gold: re.life

Gold: Dubai World Trade Centre

Silver: Nespresso

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Dubai Municipality
• Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel
• Oman be’ah 
• Kibsons International LLC
• Imdaad
• re.life  (BEEAH)
• Dusit Thani Dubai
• Nespresso
• Dubai World Trade Centre

Food Waste Initiative of the Year

Gold: Ehfaaz

Silver: Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Destination Mina Seyahi - Marriott
• Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
• Dubai World Trade Centre
• Ehfaaz 

Plastics Recycling Company of the Year (manufacturer/processor) 

Gold: Aptal Global Trading

Silver: Advance Plastic Chips Manufacturing

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Advance Plastic Chips Manufacturing
• Ala Group
• Consent Fzco
• Aptal Global Trading

Best Smart Technology Solution for Waste & Recycling. 

Gold: ROSHN Group

Silver: EMSTEEL

Shortlisted nominees: 

• REBOUND
• FreshOnTable
• Winnow
• EMSTEEL
• Drop Me
• ROSHN Group
• Yes Full Circle Waste Collection and Treatment LLC 

Technology Innovation Of The Year 2025 (Waste Management And Recycling) 

Gold: Kiverco

Silver: EDGE Innovate 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Rebound
• Imdaad
• EDGE INNOVATE
• Drop Me
• KIVERCO

Medical Waste Management Best Practice Award

Gold: Cleanco

Silver: Wekaya 

Personality of the Year - Waste Management

Gold: Mohammed Al Rayees, Dubai Municipality 

Silver: Ali Al Dhaheri, Tadweer Group 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Alwaleed Alzahrani, Saudi Investment Recycling Company
• Mohammed Al Rayees, Dubai Municipality
• Eoin Sheridan, KEO International Consultants
• Fahad Ali Shehail, BEEAH
• Ramesh Kumar, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Authority
• Maimoona Omair, Dubai World Trade Centre
• Ali Al Dhaheri, Tadweer Group 
• Golnaz Arab, AESG 

 Best Waste Diversion/Reduction Initiative (Government sector)

Gold: Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu

Silver: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Authority 

 Sustainable Packaging Company of the Year

Gold: Consent FZCO

Silver: Hotpack Packaging Industries L.L.C

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Recycling Company of the Year (Weee Processor) 

Gold: Holoul Electronic Recycling Treatment Company

Silver: Enviroserve 

Recycled Product of the Year 

Gold: Alpla Plastic Middle East Industries

Silver: Ehfaaz

Shortlisted nominees: 

• GREEN WARRIOR TRADING 
• Hotpack Packaging Industries 
• Alpla Plastic Middle East Industries
• Star International Waste Management
• Nespresso  
• DGrade 
• Ehfaaz 

Personality of the Year - Recycling

Gold: Alwaleed Alzahrani - Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Alwaleed Alzharani, Saudi Investment Recycling Company  
• Maryam Al Mansoori, Rebound
• Ahmad Mahmoud Al Sharif , Al Sharif Metals Enterprises  SHARIF METALS ENTERPRISES
• Anshul Gupta, PGI GROUP  
• Ramesh Kumar, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Authority
• Roshan D’Souza,  Yes Full Circle Waste Collection and Treatment LLC

Waste Collection Fleet of the Year

Gold: Dubai Municipality

Silver: Oman Environmental Service Holding Company (be'ah

Waste Management Company of the Year Award 

Gold: Imdaad

Silver: Dulsco

Silver: GE Enviro 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• GE Enviro Co. Ltd.
• MR SKIPS WASTE SERVICES LLC
• Imdaad
• Dulsco Environment
• Environmental Horizons Co.

Zero Waste Initiative Leadership Award

Gold: Emirates Global Aluminium

Silver: Arabian Gulf Steel Industries

Shortlisted nominees: 

• HALO Middle East
• Emirates Global Aluminium
• Arabian Gulf Steel Industries
• Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC
• EMSTEEL
• Dubai World Trade Centre 
• Ertiqa

Metals Recycling Company of the Year (Manufacturer/Processor) 

Gold: Al Qaryan Group

Silver: Al Sharif Metals Enterprises 

Shortlisted nominees: 

• Al Qaryan Group  
• ALA GROUP
• Arabian Gulf Steel Industries
• Green Future Battery Recycling LLC
• AL SHARIF METALS ENTERPRISES
• PAN GULF INTERNATIONAL METALS INDUSTRY LLC

Sustainability Champion – People's Choice Award 

Gold: Dr. Salam Al Sharif - Sharif Metals Group DMCC

Silver:  Saeed Muhammad - Nikki Beach Resort Spa Dubai

Shortlisted nominees: 

Iftikhar Hamdani, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel

Maryam Al Mansoori, REBOUND

Asam Hussain, Arabian Gulf Steel Industries

Saeed Muhammad, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai

Sebastiao Ferrao, Dusit Thani Dubai,

Dr. Salam Al Sharif, Sharif Metals Group DMCC

Sponsors: 

• Diamond Sponsor: Al Qaryan Group
• Dinner Sponsor: Cleanco Waste Treatment
• Lanyard Sponsor: Holoul Electronic Recycling Treatment
• Photo Booth Sponsor: Consent
• Integrated Waste Management Partner: Imdaad
• Metal Recycling Partner: Al Sharif Metals Enterprises 
• Sustainability Partner: Gemini Corporation
• Category Sponsors – Evogreen, UD Trucks & Al Masood 

Checkout the event highlights here