The Middle East Paper Co (Mepco), a vertically-integrated paper manufacturer in the region, said it has been named ‘Paper Recycling Company of the Year’ at the inaugural Middle East Waste & Recycling Awards, hosted in Dubai, UAE.

The award recognises producers of pulp, paper and packaging material for sustainable operations and creative solutions and products. It also recognises paper recycling companies operating in the Middle East that have provided a service to their customers consistently and in a sustainable manner, said a statement.

Nominees were required to provide proof of the recycling levels they have achieved, the sustainability of their operations and business, their positive contribution to waste diversion and minimization, customer satisfaction in terms of service delivery and prompt action in addressing issues, it said.

The awards were launched this year by Waste & Recycling Middle East magazine, in celebration of success in adopting best practice in the environmental management business.

The event aims to recognise outstanding individuals and organisations in the Middle East that have demonstrated leadership and innovation in their respective fields and have significantly contributed to environmental sustainability, along with economic viability, contributing to the vision of the region’s governments for a greener future and a circular economy.

The awards acknowledge excellence in business best practice, promote knowledge sharing and innovation, and provide a benchmark for performance, industry recognition and professional credibility, all of which act as drivers for sustainable growth in the region.

The awards are judged by a panel of prominent and respected experts, advocates and spokespeople in the focus area of environmental sustainability.

Engineer Sami Al-Safran, chief executive officer of Mepco, said: “We are extremely proud to have received recognition for our paper recycling activity at the first awards. Not only is this a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team – to both customers and our growth as a business – but also to our business model, which is unique in the region.”

“Our captive supply of self-generated energy and recovered water is essential to the sustainability of our manufacturing operations, while our subsidiary Wasco puts us in an unrivalled position to collect raw materials from around the kingdom,” he said.

“Our business model continues to deliver profitability, as we provide paper and containerboard products to local and regional markets, and we are looking forward to ongoing and sustainable growth,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service