averda showcases environmental solutions at AFED 2011

averda, the largest environmental solutions provider in the MENA region and an active advocate of recycling, will address key environment issues at the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) 2011. Additionally, the company will share the latest innovations that demonstrate its position as a pro-active environmental leader, and facilitator of community engagement.

Being a major contributor towards achieving a higher level of environmental awareness, averda will use AFED as a platform to discuss its responsibilities for establishing sustainable environmental practices mainlyin the countries in which the company operates. To this end, MaysarahSukkar, Chairman of averda, will participate in a panel tackling ‘Greening Tourism and Waste’ and will highlight the need for a call to action.

In addition, AFED attendants will be able to partake in an on-going initiative called “Protect Lebanon, Recycle Today”, allowing the visitors to deposit their recyclable plastic bottles and cans in a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) displayed at the venue and sign the pledge wall promising to continuously recycle.

“Protect Lebanon, Recycle Today” was born in July 2011 from the joint efforts of Servicorp – an averda Company, Nestle and Spinneys to encourage recycling in Lebanonand divert waste from the landfill. It is worth noting that the Lebanese population produces approximately 1.57 million tons of waste per year (60% of which comes from Beirut and the Mount Lebanon area).

Through this green initiative, Servicorp provides the RVMs, the service and the operation while Spinneys offers its Dbaye and Achrafieh outlets as collection locations and Nestle Pure Life offers a free 2-liter bottle of water for every 40 points collected when using the RVMs.

“AFED presents a unique platform through which wediscuss the future of green solutions with industry peers and like-minded business partners,” said MaysarahSukkar, Chairman of averda, who will speak on the panel of the ‘Greening Tourism and Waste’ seminar. “averda aims to continuously make a positive impact on the environments of communities we serve through employing the latest technologies and encouraging community engagement. We exploit the state-of-the-art green solutions, adopt environmental best practices and employ a comprehensive approach to ecological solutions” he added.

averda has been an avid supporter ofeventsthat aim at addressing environmental concerns. The company’s support is represented by being a silver sponsor of AFED 2011. averda’s recent launch of RVMs in the region further establishes its position as a community partner promoting the green movement in the markets it operates in, and pioneering the latest advancements that will drive the environmental changein the region.

averda’s operations in Lebanon cover the city cleaning, municipal solid waste management and manufacturing sectors, through its affiliates Sukleen, SukomiServicorp and Leeds International.

AFED brings together international industry experts, environmentally-conscious organisations and prominent decision-makers to discuss the existing state of the environment and relating issues, in addition to exchanging points of view on the way forward to a greener world.