Abu Dhabi has become the international hub for renewable energy, where Masdar, the world’s first zero-carbon and zero-waste city is being built.
Abu Dhabi has also come up with Estidama, sustainable design guidelines released by Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council (UPC), to support Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, which is to transform Abu Dhabi into a model of sustainable urbanization in the region by the year 2030.
Abu Dhabi also has Aldar Properties PJSC, rated by Morgan Stanley Research Europe as the leading developer in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector. Not only is Aldar undertaking massive multi-billion Dirham projects to develop Abu Dhabi but is doing it on the lines that balances the need for infrastructural development with environmental sustainability.
A few of Aldar’s iconic projects include the Yas Island of the Formula 1 racetrack fame, Al Gurm Resort which nestles among mangrove forests, the residential Al Raha Gardens Development and the imposing Aldar headquarter buildings within Aldar’s mixed-use Al Raha Beach Development.
What sets these projects apart is the attention to detail and innovation in the provision of comprehensive infrastructure networks.
Yas Island is the first major commercial development in Abu Dhabi to feature both a natural gas distribution and transmission network used to supply energy for cooking and hot water and a vacuum solid waste handling system.
Yas Island has also innovated with the introduction in high-use zones of a vacuum sewerage system.
As Aldar continues to commit to sustainable and fully integrated developments across Abu Dhabi, Clean Middle East talks to Environment and Waste Manager Kelwyn Davies to find out more about the sustainable waste management systems deployed in Aldar’s projects and to understand how they fit within Abu Dhabi’s future model of sustainable urbanization.
What is the waste management strategy that Aldar has chalked out for its projects?
In terms of policy, Aldar Properties PJSC seeks to minimise the generation of waste across all of its activities. Waste generation will be driven towards zero through a strategy of prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling. Materials will be consistently treated as a resource to benefit society and safeguard the environment - thereby minimising the need for waste disposal.
Are the systems for each kind of waste uniform across Aldar’s various projects?
Design and system implementation for each project is assessed by the project design teams. System selection is made on the basis of Aldar’s guiding policy, site conditions, anticipated operating parameters, market availability and regulatory compliance – all of which is subject to procurement processes geared to provide best-value selection.The Yas Marina Circuit has a vacuum sewerage system. Will the system be consistent across the island or limited to only certain areas?
Yas Island development will continue to evolve and innovate over many years. Opportunity exists to adopt the best technology solutions for wastewater collection and transfer. Early development zones form part of an integrated strategy which is regularly revisited and reviewed by the Yas Island Management Team. Where appropriate, the vacuum sewer can extend to serve other operators and this option will be viewed in parallel with other selection choices such as gravity and package treatment systems. Review parameters will include system availability, impacts, capacity, compliance and best-value delivery.
A similar vacuum sewerage system was selected for the Al Raha Gardens development. Please provide details.?
As with the application of vacuum sewer technology on other Aldar projects, the system utilises optimised dig conditions and common trenching, with vacuum mains connected to a centralised pumping station for onward transfer to the public sewer or treatment plant. In this way, excessive trench depths are minimised and construction impacts and disruptions are reduced.
What is the Wastewater and Solid Waste Management strategy for Al Gurm resort and other Aldar projects?
With the location of Al Gurm development being within a valuable mangrove habitat, Aldar design teams have worked to reduce environmental impacts. Deep trenching for wastewater sewers is not required for vacuum sewer systems and this has been a key consideration for the project. The system discharges to public sewers. With regard to Solid Waste Management, Al Gurm design and operational teams will match technology to the unique setting of the development. Opportunities to segregate and recycle resources will be included in line with government initiatives. Collection equipment will be selected and deployed in an environmentally friendly way – truck size being matched to village style access ways.
Why did Aldar go in for vacuum sewerage systems for some of its developments? What are the benefits vis-à-vis other ways of managing liquid waste?
Aldar has researched and embraced the known benefits of the vacuum sewer technology which include:
• The vacuum mains can be laid with minimum cover – minimizing construction impacts
• Vacuum mains can be common-trenched with other utilities and smaller diameter pipes can be used – again minimizing construction impacts
• Reduced requirements for access points
• Higher pipeline velocities give better aeration and pre-treatment mixing of wastewater
• Deep chamber requirements are reduced or eliminated, and in most cases, no confined space entries are needed to maintain the system
• Power is normally required only at a centralised pump station
• There is no discernable difference to users, as traditional gravity transports the wastewater from the customers’ property to the vacuum collection pits
What are Aldar’s plans for setting up recycling plants?
Aldar is continually in dialogue with both public and private sector players in the field of Integrated Solid Waste Management – and this includes the arrangements for service delivery.As required, Aldar orchestrates optimum service delivery in this sector for its projects and communities – and this includes available capacity in the public sector. As technology availability and public awareness improves across the Emirate, Aldar will seek to integrate innovative and best-value systems across all of its activities. System selection and implementation will align with International Best Practice and comply with local and federal legislation and strategies. At this time, Aldar’s approach to Integrated Solid Waste Management continues to evolve.
Initiatives we will pursue include discussions with our suppliers to reduce packaging – and this will be linked to the exploration of buy-back schemes for end-of-life products.
In matters of organic waste, Aldar will seek to promote composting, or similar processes, linked to a programme of soil enhancement across an enduring Aldar landscape legacy. Recyclable materials will be segregated and directed to approved recycling facilities. Where surplus construction materials arise during the development phase, these will be segregated and directed to recovery and reprocessing facilities. Hazardous waste, including clinical, will be directed to approved treatment facilities.
Aldar will apply limits to the percentage of materials procured becoming waste, and our project designs will address disassembly and recovery of resources. Aldar will champion the incorporation of recycled content materials and targets will be established for this.
Opportunities will be explored to derive power from the range of waste treatment processes deployed, and residual waste volume reduction will be practiced across Aldar’s projects to reduce vehicle journeys.
In following this course of action, waste generation and recovery will be regularly monitored, recorded and reported, and Aldar will develop the indicators to track performance.
What is the time frame for the implementation of the recycling projects?
Implementation of the above will take time and the following targets are currently being discussed:
By 2020: Aldar will aim to achieve a high recycling culture of at least 75% resource recovery across all activities, thereby diverting waste from landfill sites.
By 2030: Aldar will aim to achieve “Near Zero Waste” status, where all our projects, products and services are designed with waste prevention in mind. This will support the Abu Dhabi economy and assist job creation in the sustainability marketplace, which is in line with Aldar’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision.
Aldar will continually review commercial arrangements as this strategy moves forward – in full discussion with the public and private sector actors.
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