Latest news with #MaximKaplevich
Gulf Business
11-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
SME story: How Sparklo is redefining recycling in the UAE and beyond
Image: Supplied Founded on the belief that recycling should be simple, rewarding, and accessible, Sparklo emerged from a deep understanding of the sustainability challenges facing the UAE and the wider MENA region. Since its launch in December 2022, Sparklo has collected over 95 million recyclables, built the region's largest incentive-driven recycling community, and is set to redefine how we think about waste, technology, and environmental responsibility across 10 countries. In this interview, Maxim Kaplevich, founder and CEO of Sparklo, shares how parklo's innovative reverse vending machines — known as Sparklomats —are transforming everyday recycling into a motivating experience by rewarding users with real-life discounts, bridging the gap between people and recycling infrastructure. What inspired you to start the company? The idea for That's when I identified a critical gap in recycling systems. In many countries, including the UAE, the technical capacity to process recyclables exists, and people genuinely care about sustainability. Yet over 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, with two-thirds becoming waste after a single use. Clearly, something isn't working. The issue is the lack of infrastructure connecting people with recycling facilities in a way that's easy and motivating. That gap is what holds everything back. Cleantech providers need to focus on building collection infrastructure — without necessarily engaging in recycling. Countries like Germany and Scandinavian nations recycle large amounts of waste, supported by strong infrastructure. But most of these countries rely on deposit-return systems: people pay extra when they buy a bottle and are refunded only if they return it. In regions where collection infrastructure is underdeveloped or inefficient, I believed we needed a different approach: instead of taking people's money to encourage recycling, we should give them a solution that motivates them to return bottles and cans with rewards. That's how Sparklo was created. We launched in December 2022. UAE residents got the solution they needed — a new reverse vending machine, called the Sparklomat, that rewards them for doing the right thing. Since then, we've collected over 95 million recyclables in MENA and built the region's largest incentive-driven What is the business model of Sparklo? We focus on both end users and private and public partners. How does it work for users? Drop in a plastic bottle or can and earn redeemable points in our Sparklo app — discounts on groceries, taxi rides, delivery, and more. It's seamless and gives immediate feedback: you recycle, you get rewarded. Today, we have dozens of loyalty partners helping us realise our vision of rewarding positive habits. Beyond rewards, location matters. To make recycling seamless, Sparklomats must be placed where people already are. To build this infrastructure, Sparklo uses a 'hardware-as-a-service' model. Our machines are now deployed in 280 UAE locations: residential communities, retail stores, workplaces, schools, and transport hubs. We've partnered with Dubai Municipality, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, ADNOC Distribution, Carrefour, LuLu, Accor, Emaar, and others to integrate recycling into daily life. This approach lets us make recycling convenient and rewarding for users — while helping partners meet their ESG goals. In turn, they help us scale the infrastructure to make Sparklo's vision a reality. How was the business funded? The company is privately funded with my own investment and contributions from MENA-oriented private investors who support the growth of UAE-based technology. What technology is being used for Sparklomats? Artificial intelligence plays a key role in how Sparklomats work. Unlike machines that rely on barcodes to determine whether an item can be recycled, ours use advanced recognition technology to identify plastic bottles and aluminum cans in milliseconds — with or without labels or barcodes. If it's recyclable, it's accepted. Instantly. This smart system connects to the Sparklo app, so users get rewarded right away with points they can spend on real-life discounts. Meanwhile, the machines log every interaction, helping us track environmental impact, improve recycling habits, and personalise the experience over time. It's fast, simple, and intuitive — exactly what recycling needs to be if we want people to do it every day. How do people and businesses benefit from Sparklo? For everyday users, Sparklo turns recycling into something that's easy, highly rewarding, and engaging. This positive reinforcement helps build lifelong habits — people start seeking out our machines and telling their friends, becoming part of a global sustainability movement. For partners, Sparklo is a practical way to show environmental leadership and contribute to recycling infrastructure. They get verified impact data, improved sustainability performance, and stronger community engagement. By installing Sparklomats, they make recycling more accessible and help drive real change in their communities. We also focus on UAE-based manufacturing and job creation: our Sparklomats are locally produced in Ras Al Khaimah. This supports sustainable recycling and strengthens the UAE's economy — while helping other countries adopt scalable solutions. Beyond the UAE, our network spans 10 countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, and others. Today, we operate over 400 RVMs globally, promoting UAE-built technology around the world. What are the future plans of the company? Over the next five to 10 years, Sparklo aims to collect more than 50 per ceny of all plastic bottles consumed in at least five of our operating countries. In the UAE, our goal is for at least half of the working population to actively use Sparklomats and the app to recycle within the next decade.
Gulf Today
01-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
EAD collects 2,000 tonnes of recyclable bottles
The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD) has recovered over 2,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic bottles since launching its Bottle Recovery System in 2023. In collaboration with 'Sparklo,' a clean technology company, EAD collected more than 23 million recyclable bottles in 2024. As part of its partnership with retail sectors, waste collection entities, and clean technology providers, EAD worked with Sparklo to deploy over 100 Sparklomat bottle recovery machines across the emirate. These machines were installed at retail outlets of ADNOC, Lulu, and Carrefour, resulting in the collection of approximately 23 million recyclable items in 2024, including 544,000 kilogrammes of plastic and 8,000 kilogrammes of aluminum. This initiative contributed to reducing over 3.5 million kilogrammes of CO₂ emissions in 2024, supporting Abu Dhabi's goal of cutting carbon emissions by 22% by 2027. Shaikha Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the Integrated Environment Policy and Planning Sector at EAD, stated: 'We aim to integrate sustainability practices into daily life in the emirate. The Bottle Recovery System, in collaboration with private sector entities like Sparklo, highlights the importance of partnerships, technology, and community engagement in achieving a sustainable environmental impact. This initiative represents a strategic investment that reinforces environmental responsibility. By supporting circular economy principles, we aim to strengthen Abu Dhabi's leadership in the global shift toward a sustainable future.' Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, added: 'Our partnership with EAD demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in achieving strategic goals at the community and national levels. With EAD's support, we expanded the network of bottle recovery machines, significantly advancing Abu Dhabi's sustainability agenda.'
Web Release
01-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
EAD's Bottle Return Scheme Drives Record Recycling Success with Sparklo
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, 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 CO ? 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.
Mid East Info
30-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
EAD's Bottle Return Scheme Drives Record Recycling Success with Sparklo - Middle East Business News and Information
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, 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. About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda. About Sparklo: Sparklo is a global UAE-based cleantech company that revolutionises the recycling industry and encourages sustainable practices worldwide. Through its innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs) known as Sparklomats, the company motivates users to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans by offering engaging rewards. Sparklo's cutting-edge software and hardware solutions utilise AI and machine learning to optimise recycling processes, making it fun and easy for individuals to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. With a growing network of more than 250,000 users in the UAE alone, Sparklo collects over 200,000 bottles and cans daily. The company operates in over ten countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EAD's Bottle Return Scheme drives record recycling success with Sparklo
Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, 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. About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda. About Sparklo Sparklo is a global UAE-based cleantech company that revolutionises the recycling industry and encourages sustainable practices worldwide. Through its innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs) known as Sparklomats, the company motivates users to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans by offering engaging rewards. Sparklo's cutting-edge software and hardware solutions utilise AI and machine learning to optimise recycling processes, making it fun and easy for individuals to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. With a growing network of more than 250,000 users in the UAE alone, Sparklo collects over 200,000 bottles and cans daily. The company operates in over ten countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Georgia. For further information, please contact: CommuniGate Middle East 500270, Dubai, UAE E-mail: info@ Website:
