Tabreed partners Sparklo to scale smart recycling as UAE accelerates circular economy push

UAE – Tabreed, the world’s leading district cooling company, has entered a new sustainability partnership with UAE-based cleantech firm Sparklo to strengthen the country’s recycling infrastructure through smart, incentive-led technology.

The collaboration will see the rollout of 16 reverse vending machines (RVMs), branded as Sparklomats, across high-traffic locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Under the agreement signed by Tabreed CEO Khalid Al Marzouqi and Sparklo founder Maxim Kaplevich, one Sparklomat has already been installed at Tabreed’s headquarters, with the remaining units set for deployment at prominent destinations including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World and selected shopping malls.

The machines enable residents and visitors to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for digital rewards via the Sparklo app.

Users earn points that can be redeemed for everyday benefits such as grocery discounts and taxi rides, a model designed to encourage participation through positive incentives rather than regulation alone.

Based on Sparklo’s average UAE collection rates, the network is expected to collect more than four million bottles and cans annually, equivalent to around 11,600 containers per day, preventing an estimated 637,400kg of CO₂ emissions each year.

The project directly supports national priorities, including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Circular Economy Policy, which emphasize waste reduction, recycling and behavioural change.

Sparklo has previously demonstrated the impact of high-footfall placements, with a single Sparklomat collecting more than 13,000 containers in one day.

Al Marzouqi said the partnership reflects Tabreed’s broader approach to decarbonization through collaboration.

“Innovation and partnerships are essential to achieving the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision. By introducing smart recycling solutions in the communities we serve, we are extending our sustainability efforts beyond our core operations.”

Kaplevich added that embedding sustainability into daily routines is key to scaling impact. “Together, we’re making the places where people live, shop and spend time both more energy-efficient and more circular.”

The initiative aligns with Tabreed’s 2024 sustainability commitments, which include energy-efficiency retrofits, supply chain decarbonization and emissions reduction across its district cooling portfolio.

It also reflects a broader trend across the Gulf, where infrastructure operators, municipalities and brand owners are increasingly partnering with cleantech providers to improve waste collection and recycling outcomes.

Recent announcements across the UAE have highlighted growing investment in smart bins, AI-enabled sorting facilities and deposit-return-style systems, as policymakers and businesses seek practical solutions to boost recycling rates ahead of COP-linked climate targets.

For Tabreed, integrating smart recycling into public spaces reinforces its positioning as a sustainability leader beyond cooling.

For Sparklo, the partnership expands its footprint and demonstrates how shared infrastructure and digital incentives can deliver measurable environmental impact.

Together, the collaboration underscores how cross-sector partnerships are becoming central to the UAE’s transition towards a more circular, low-carbon economy.

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