The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has made remarkable strides in its commitment to sustainability through the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy. As part of this initiative, the EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, launched in 2023, has seen unprecedented success in recovering more than 2,000 tonnes of bottles. The scheme has significantly advanced recycling efforts across the Emirate, empowering residents to adopt responsible waste disposal habits.

The Agency has collaborated with several partners from the retail industry, waste operators and cleantech providers and, with EAD’s strategic oversight, Sparklo, a cleantech leader, has deployed more than 100 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, across Abu Dhabi offering convenient return access points for plastic bottles and aluminium cans.

As a direct result of this initiative, an impressive 23 million recyclables were collected in 2024 alone, including over 544,000 kilograms of plastic and 18,000 kilograms of aluminium. The cumulative impact of this initiative has prevented over 3.5 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goal of a 22 per cent carbon emissions reduction by 2027. In a single-day milestone, one Sparklomat processed more than 8,500 items, setting a record for individual unit performance.

Commenting on these results, Sheikha Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, said: “We seek to integrate sustainability practices into daily life in the Emirate. The EAD-led Bottle Return Scheme, held in collaboration with private sector organisations, including Sparklo, embodies the importance of partnerships, technology, and community engagement in creating a sustainable environmental impact. This initiative, with its objectives, represents a strategic investment that consolidates the concept of environmental responsibility. By supporting the principles of the circular economy, we seek to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s leading position in the global transformation towards building a sustainable future.”

Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, commented: “The partnership with EAD exemplifies the success of government-private sector collaboration. With EAD’s unwavering support, we have expanded the RVM network, contributing directly to Abu Dhabi’s sustainability agenda. The results speak for themselves – when recycling is made simple and engaging, communities embrace the change, reinforcing the role of practical solutions in environmental progress.”

As EAD and Sparklo continue to scale the initiative, efforts will focus on expanding the RVM network and deepening community engagement, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s leadership in sustainable innovation.

Exclusive Interview with Michael Gietzen, Co-Founder, Sport Impact Summit (SIS)

What inspired you to create the Sport Impact Summit, and how has its mission evolved since the first edition?

Sport is a bit of a superpower. It transcends borders, beliefs, and language – it unites in a way few things can. We launched the Summit to channel that force into solving big global issues. What began as a space to share good ideas has evolved into a full-blown catalyst for action – part movement, part think tank, part matchmaking service for people who want to change the world through sport.

The 2024 edition drew major global players. What were your biggest takeaways?

Collaboration is the new competition – SailGP, McLaren, Laureus all showed how working together unlocks scale. Athletes like Lucy Shuker are more than role models – they’re accelerators of impact. And innovation? Just look at REFLO’s circular economy kit. My personal highlight? The Money Ball panel – Dureka Carrasquillo on commercial sustainability was sheer gold.

How did the UAE Ministry of Sports help shape the summit?

Sheikh Suhail’s support was game-changing. He’s a genuine sustainability advocate and helped us turn ambition into action. His backing brought global momentum – and the Sport Impact Declaration was born from that partnership. It’s not just paper. It’s a living pledge – uniting athletes, federations and brands to drive real, measurable change. And yes, we even got our hands dirty planting mangroves with Goumbook. That’s how we do legacy.

What’s on the horizon for SIS 2025?

We’re levelling up – new partnerships in the pipeline (some I can mention, some I really can’t…yet). Think ATP, REFLO, SailGP. Think immersive experiences that make sustainability impossible to ignore. We’re not just talking the talk – we’re building a sport-for-good ecosystem.

How will the Sport World Sustainability Awards shape global dialogue?

Awards make the invisible visible. They turn good practice into gold standard. We’re not just handing out trophies – we’re setting benchmarks and creating a platform where athletes, brands and fans get to rewrite the rules together. The real win? Inspiring the next wave of bold, sustainable ideas – and making them go viral.

Why is the UAE perfectly placed to lead sport and sustainability?

Few places combine ambition, agility and audience like the UAE. It’s a sandbox for big ideas – with mega-events like F1, tennis and golf acting as global loudspeakers. Add visionary leadership and a future-obsessed mindset? You’ve got the perfect storm for sustainable innovation.

How does the UAE’s sporting calendar support SIS?

These events aren’t just spectacles – they’re platforms. They give SIS scale, visibility and momentum. Our partners – DET, DSC, the UAE Ministry of Sport – are aligned on one mission: making sport a force for good. Whether it’s policy change or inspiring public health – the UAE gets that sport is about legacy, not just medals.

How do you balance creativity, sustainability and scale at a global level?

You don’t balance them – you blend them. Sustainability isn’t a constraint; it’s a creative brief. The best ideas come from tough questions like: “How do we eliminate waste and wow people?” And scale? It makes good ideas stick. Get this right and sustainability becomes the showstopper, not the sideshow.

What role do collaborations play in delivering real outcomes?

Collaboration is the cheat code. Governments bring policy. NGOs bring people. Brands bring innovation. When you get them all playing to their strengths – with SIS as the orchestrator – you move from chat to change. That’s the real win: actionable alliances, not just panel sessions and platitudes.

Why should brands and institutions invest in platforms like SIS?

Because it’s where purpose meets performance. It’s not CSR fluff – it’s brand equity, talent attraction, investor interest. Sport Impact turns abstract ambitions into practical results. And it connects you to the people actually shaping the future of sport. In short: if you care about impact, SIS is the fastest route to relevance.

In your view, how can sport be more effectively used as a tool for systemic change, particularly around climate action and wellbeing?

Sport has the rare power to reach hearts and headlines at scale. It connects emotionally, builds community, and holds the attention of billions, that’s a perfect recipe for systemic change.

When athletes speak up on climate, fans listen. When venues go zero-waste, it becomes a visible proof of what’s possible. And when sport prioritises wellbeing, such as the physical, mental, and emotional, it normalises healthier lives.

We’ve seen sparks: carbon-neutral tournaments, mental health initiatives, athlete-led campaigns. Now the challenge is scale. That means innovation, incentives, and storytelling that makes sustainability feel like a core part of the game, not an optional extra. Sport isn’t just a mirror to society. It can be the lever that moves it.

What advice would you give to young professionals or changemakers who want to work at the intersection of sport, sustainability, and innovation?

Learn to speak both languages; the commercial reality of sport and the systems thinking of sustainability. That’s where the real impact happens.

Be a storyteller. Show how sustainability enhances performance, legacy, and fan loyalty. Start small, measure everything, and scale what works. Find your crew, because this space thrives on cross-sector collaboration. Be the bridge between ambition and action.

And remember: this field is wide open. Sport needs fresh thinking. Sustainability needs scale. Innovation needs a stage. You’ve picked the right arena, now go play.

As Dubai continues to outpace global markets in luxury home sales, Swiss real estate developer DHG Properties has partnered with the internationally acclaimed interior architecture and design studio Two | 88 by Rina Rankova for its latest residential development in Meydan Bukadra.

This collaboration blends DHG’s commitment to real estate excellence and Swiss-quality construction with Two | 88’s mastery of world-class design and high-end interiors, setting new benchmarks for elevated living in Dubai.

Founded by Rina Rankova, Two | 88 operates globally with studios in Dubai, London, and Marbella. With extensive experience in super-prime residential and commercial design, the studio is renowned for sophisticated interior solutions and global perspective.

Milos Antic, Vice Chairman of DHG and Founder of DHG Properties, commented: “We are confident that our collaboration with Two | 88 by Rina Rankova will significantly enhance the value and appeal of our new project in Meydan Bukadra. This development is designed for the most sophisticated and discerning buyers—those who seek only the very best. Two | 88’s design philosophy aligns perfectly with our vision: timeless, elegant properties crafted with meticulous attention to detail. At DHG, we continue to raise the bar by delivering added value across every dimension—from construction quality and Swiss precision to exceptional interior design.”

Rina Rankova, Founder of Two | 88, added: “From the very beginning, we felt a strong connection with the essence of Helvetia—the premium real estate brand created by DHG. It was a pleasure to explore the vision behind their inaugural project, Helvetia Residences in JVC, and we are now proud to be entrusted with designing the interiors of their second development in Dubai. Our work reflects a commitment to elevated living, blending contemporary architectural elements with refined functionality and everyday comfort.”

The upcoming development in Meydan Bukadra will feature meticulously curated interiors, including custom finishes, premium materials, and layouts revealing a deep understanding of contemporary lifestyles.

This partnership comes as Dubai reaffirms its reputation as one of the world’s top cities for real estate investment and exceptional quality of life. This trend is reflected in Dubai’s residential market, which saw a 47% year-on-year increase in transactions in 2024. The surge in volume was accompanied by a 19.1% rise in property values over the past year, according to the Dubai Residential Market Q4 2024 report by Knight Frank.

By partnering with an industry leader to deliver superior interior design, DHG Properties ensures the sustained value of its developments and strengthens its strategic positioning to meet the growing demand for properties that prioritise excellence and exclusivity.