Sparklo partners with Mai Dubai to boost recycling across the UAE

UAE – Sparklo, a cleantech company developing the Middle East’s most accessible smart recycling ecosystem, has entered a strategic partnership with Mai Dubai, the UAE’s leading bottled water brand, to promote recycling and foster sustainable consumer habits.

The agreement will see the deployment of 30 AI-powered Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), branded as Sparklomats, across high-traffic areas in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.

These machines will be placed in schools, retail zones, and residential communities, making recycling more convenient and engaging for the public.

Users who deposit plastic bottles into the Sparklomats will earn Sparklo points, which can be redeemed for rewards—including discounts on Mai Dubai product deliveries—starting May.

The initiative supports the creation of a closed-loop system, ensuring bottles are collected, recycled, and reintroduced into the value chain.

The partnership was officially launched on April 21 at Mai Dubai’s headquarters, where Sparklo unveiled the first-ever Mai Dubai-branded Sparklomat.

The event was attended by Sparklo CEO Maxim Kaplevich and Mai Dubai CEO Abraham Kah, who highlighted the collaboration’s alignment with their shared sustainability goals.

“This partnership embodies Sparklo’s mission—to make recycling easy, accessible, and rewarding,” said Kaplevich.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Mai Dubai, our first bottled water brand partner, in building infrastructure that encourages bottle return and resource recovery. This is a key step toward a truly circular economy.”

Kah echoed this sentiment, noting, “At Mai Dubai, sustainability drives everything we do—from running the region’s only 100% solar-powered water facility to championing circular solutions.

“Through this partnership, we empower our consumers to take part in the recycling journey and help shape a sustainable future for the UAE.”

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 and Circular Economy Policy, blending innovation, corporate collaboration, and grassroots impact.

Sparklo has already collected over 90 million plastic and aluminum containers across MENA, more than 81 million of them in the UAE, highlighting its growing role in the region’s sustainability movement.

Early this year, the company expanded its network of reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, to over 400 locations.

Since its inception, Sparklo has collected more than 70 million plastic and aluminum recyclables, helping to reduce environmental waste significantly.

Currently, Sparklo processes over 1.5 million bottles and cans weekly, advancing effective recycling practices to lower waste-related environmental impacts.

What sets Sparklo apart is its innovative, incentive-driven approach to recycling. Using Sparklomats, users earn points for recycling bottles and cans, which can be redeemed for rewards such as discounted taxi rides with Yango, savings at Carrefour, and more.

This system has built a loyal, eco-conscious community while promoting sustainable habits.

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