Dubai South and NuGrow have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deliver waste recycling and land rehabilitation services for Dubai South, an emerging 145sqkm master-planned city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As a flagship urban project for the UAE, Dubai South is projected to sustain a population of one million and create 500,000 jobs. The city is mandated to embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, by manifesting the urban and societal themes as outlined in the Dubai Plan 2021.
The MOU, which was signed by His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and NuGrow’s founder and Managing Director Roy Wilson, marks a significant next step forward in an exciting initiative to green the UAE. It includes a ‘greening’ trial near the Dubai South headquarters, using imported NuGrow recycled organic growing mediums, as well as the development and operation of a waste recycling facility that will handle and reprocess waste generated within the Dubai South precinct.
NuGrow’s founder and Managing Director, Roy Wilson, said the work aligned perfectly with Dubai South’s focus on the happiness of the individual.
“The end game of the greening trial and the recycling facility is to generate positive environmental, social and economic benefits for the community, and that directly supports the pursuit of making Dubai South a smart and sustainable city and a desirable place to live, work and invest,” Roy said.
“Around the world, there is still far too much waste when it comes to our waste streams because they generally contain value that can be unlocked in economically-smart ways for beneficial reuse,” he said.
“With the recycling facility, we are setting out to prove a profitable, successful business model, tailored to the UAE, that converts waste into organic growing mediums.
“While our greening trial will start using imported NuGrow organic products, we are confident these rehabilitation efforts will be successful and the recycling facility will ultimately provide future growing mediums for Dubai South.”
“Dubai South’s prime mission is to build a sustainable city of happiness and our vision is healthier environments thus healthier communities,” said His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South.
“We are looking forward to our partnership with NuGrow that will place Dubai South as a pioneer in the region for sustainable and commercially-sound growth,” added His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin.
Trade and Investment Queensland Commissioner Middle East, Donna Massie, said, “NuGrow is an exceptional company with wonderful values providing sustainable, innovative, world-class recycling and waste management solutions”.
“Trade and Investment Queensland is very pleased to support this MOU and continue to drive NuGrow’s growth and development in all Middle East markets,” Donna said.
The NuGrow team is targeting 2018 for the start of operations, with the goal of being well established before Dubai South becomes home to the world’s largest airport, the Al Maktoum International Airport, and host of World Expo 2020.
Media enquiries – sustainability@nugrow.com.au
Photo 1 (l-r) – Roy Wilson (NuGrow Managing Director) and His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin (Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South)
Photo 2 (l-r) – Roy Wilson, Ahmed Al Ansari (Acting Chief Executive Officer Dubai South) and His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin
Photo 3 (l-r) – Geoffrey Schuhkraft (NuGrow Middle East Advisor), Peter Thompson (NuGrow Chief Strategy Officer), Ahmed Al Ansari, Roy Wilson, His Excellency Khalifa Suhail Al Zaffin and Donna Massie (Trade & Investment Commissioner for the Middle East)