Sparklo to Install 1000 RVMs in MENA Region

Making the recycling process even more accessible to communities and leading a sustainability wave in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) received a boost with AI-driven global cleantech company Sparklo announcing installation of 1,000 reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, in popular public areas throughout the region.

This planned expansion embodies the essence of Sparklo’s mission – to transform recycling into a universally adopted, joy-filled practice that contributes meaningfully to global sustainability efforts. Sparklo exemplifies how businesses with innovative solutions to real-world problems can make a significant impact.

 The company said its innovative solutions have inspired users to place 1 bottle every 3 seconds and 30,000 plastic bottles and aluminum cans daily in MENA.

The company said Sparklomats have already been installed in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and thousands of such machines will be installed in more cities and countries in the next few years.

In the UAE, Sparklo said its reward app already hit the 6^th spot on the top 10 most popular lifestyle apps.

Base at RAKEZ

Sparklo took its first steps towards revolutionising the recycling industry from its base at the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). The company is dedicated to producing and operating reverse vending machines (RVMs), transforming the process of recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans into a simple, rewarding experience.

The company’s RVMs allow people to easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Users also receive rewards in the mobile app whenever they place an empty bottle or a can, which can be exchanged for discount vouchers for food, delivery services and other special offers.

Maxim Kaplevich, owner and CEO of Sparklo, said that their goal was to collect all the plastic bottles and recyclables in the MENA region. “The company aims to revolutionise recycling and integrate it into the fabric of society’s lifestyle by incorporating elements of education and entertainment,” he added.

The company said its commitment to sustainability and innovation has already garnered support from key industry leaders in the MENA region, enabling it to install its RVMs at retail chains, shopping centres, gas stations, and hotels.

The company began operating in the MENA region in the UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability’ with its game-changing software and hardware solutions for waste management on a worldwide scale.

With plans to tackle the ever-pressing challenges of plastic and aluminum waste head-on, the company is creating groundbreaking global infrastructure and paving the way for a sustainable and eco-friendly future in the Middle East.

The company has also developed an AI-powered software system for the Sparklomats which utilises machine learning algorithms to optimise the recycling process.

By leveraging artificial intelligence, the reverse vending machine can accurately identify and sort recyclables, improving efficiency and reducing contamination. This technology enables the maximisation of the recycling potential of each item.

Globally, with the help of the machine, the company has collected 35 million recyclables, 26 million plastic bottles and 8.6 million aluminum cans, making a significant positive impact on the environment.

According to recent data, 4 billion plastic bottles are consumed annually in the UAE and about 40% of all plastic in the country is single use, the company added.