Sparklo has collected over 50 million bottles in the region, marking an impressive 1,000% year-on-year growth. Leveraging technology developed in the UAE, the company now processes more than 200,000 bottles and cans each day.

Sparklo’s success is built on strong partnerships with both private and government organisations throughout the MENA region. Key collaborators include industry leaders such as ADNOC, Lulu, Carrefour, Dubai Municipality, and the Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). Through its partnership with EAD, Sparklo actively contributes to the “Mission to Zero” initiative, which aims to reduce waste across the Emirate.

“To address global environmental challenges related to plastic and aluminium waste, we need sustainable technologies that bridge the gap between consumers and recycling facilities. While many factories worldwide can process raw materials, the main challenge lies in establishing the infrastructure for waste collection. Sparklo tackles this by building a robust collection network without directly engaging in recycling, and motivates people to adopt eco-friendly habits through positive incentives,” said Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo.

Sparklo sets itself apart with a unique approach that focuses on incentivising behaviour through rewards, rather than adopting the deposit fee systems used in countries like Germany and Scandinavia. While those nations employ deposit schemes to drive bottle returns, Sparklo opts for positive reinforcement, offering users rewards they can redeem for future purchases. This strategy is a key part of the company’s growth plan, with its recent partnership with Yango highlighting the model’s success. Through this collaboration, Sparklo users can now earn discounts on taxi rides when they recycle bottles, providing immediate rewards that encourage ongoing participation.

Though Sparklo’s primary focus remains the MENA region, it has ambitious plans for global expansion, targeting markets in Asia and the CIS. With operations already active in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, the company aims to contribute significantly to global sustainability initiatives.

As Sparklo scales, it is actively seeking new partners to join its mission of advancing sustainability through innovative recycling solutions. The company's rapid growth highlights the success of its technology-driven, reward-based recycling model, proving that positive reinforcement can drive lasting change.

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