Responsible Disposal

Malek Sukkar, CEO of waste and recycling company, Averda, reveals what the firm is doing in creating a circular approach to waste management, and how every person has a role to play

In a circular economy, materials aren’t just used once – they’re reused, composted, recycled or – if no other option is available for them – the energy they contain is recovered, Malek Sukkar, CEO of waste and recycling company, Averda, says.

He elaborates: “Waste and recycling companies like Averda have several important roles to play in this process. Firstly, our waste collection activities ensure that materials aren’t just thrown into our natural environment where they can pollute the earth and oceans. Every one of our street sweepers and bin men plays a vital part here, and we value them highly.

“Then we need to make sure that materials are sorted and recycled, which is complicated but essential. Different kinds of plastics need to be separated, as well as metals, paper and glass. And of course, organic materials – food waste and garden waste – need to be composted or treated in anaerobic digesters. Finally, those materials that can’t be recycled or otherwise reused need to be incinerated and their energy recovered and used to power local communities. This is quite a different ecosystem than we currently have, but we are determined that Averda will contribute to developing it.”