In UAE there will be opened the world’s largest factory for processing of waste, especially electronic waste, batteries and air conditioners. This factory will help to eliminate many types of toxic and potentially hazardous wastes and to protect water, used by the farmers from pollution. The building of enterprise is planned on the territory of Dubai Industrial Park with an area of 2.1 hectares. According to The National UAE it will be the largest waste disposal factory, capable of processing about 40 million tons of waste electronics annually. Otherwise, this garbage may be illegally sold to overseas or be thrown to the local landfill that would damage the environment.
The circuit boards, which contain metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, decompose in landfills, releasing carcinogenic toxins that seep into soil and underground aquifer soil. These toxins can penetrate food and cause health problems. Most of the water used by UAE for irrigation of crops comes from underground water sources that may be contaminated with improperly disposed electronic equipment.
There will be installed photovoltaic panels for maximum use of solar energy around the building. The enterprise will process consumer electronics, industrial devices and military equipment, including specialized waste such as lamps and aerosol cans.
The opening of the factory is planned for the end of this year. The cost of such enterprise is estimated at $32 million.