The Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment has committed cement companies to use 10% or more of their energy needs from waste-treatment plant fuel, if available in the country, starting next year.
In a decision issued recently, the ministry said that all coal-fired cement plants in their energy production operations must commit to using at least 10% of their total energy needs from the alternative generated by solid waste treatment plants in the country, starting in 2020, With quality control around life.
Decree No. (98) of 2019, signed by Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zwaidi, stipulates that the competent authority in each Emirate shall determine the requirements for the transfer of alternative fuels and ban the importation of all alternative fuels resulting from waste treatment operations. The competent authority to follow up the implementation of this decision within the geographical scope of the Emirate. The ministry pointed out that the decision aims to support the industries and initiatives aimed at treating solid municipal waste generated in the country and exploiting them to obtain products that will be in addition to the national economy, in addition to protecting the environment, human health and sustainable development.
The provisions of this decision shall apply to all coal-fired cement plants in their energy production operations, and any provision contrary to or inconsistent with its provisions shall be canceled.
The decision defines solid municipal waste as "waste of individuals originating from residential, commercial, professional, industrial and other sources." Alternative fuels are defined as "municipal solid waste treated after sorting and removal of non-combustible parts, which are used in cement kilns for co-combustion, Other fuels ».
The Federal Decision No. (24) for the year 1999 concerning the protection and development of the environment, its amendments and its executive regulations, and the Federal Law No. (12) of 2018 on the integrated management of waste, And Cabinet Resolution No. (32) of 2017 on the organizational structure of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
The Ministry issued Decree No. (21) of 2019 on the use of recycled materials from construction and demolition waste in roads and infrastructure projects, which obliged construction companies to meet the requirements of sorting and collection of construction and demolition waste, to be processed for the specific uses. Waste collection, transport and treatment only by the concerned authority in the Emirate.
The decision stated that construction and demolition waste transferred to the waste treatment plant should be used for road construction and infrastructure construction.