In this special Women’s Day edition of Sustainability Café, we bring together three influential leaders who are shaping the future of circular economy and sustainability across heavy industries in the Middle East.

Topic: In Conversation With ‘Women Powering Circular Change’

Featuring experts:

* Najeeba Al Jabri, Chief ESG & Sustainability Officer, Emirates Global Aluminium 
* Sara Jackson, Secretary General, Circular Packaging Association 
* Dima Al-Horani, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association

In this conversation, the panel reflects on their personal journeys into sustainability and discusses how women are increasingly influencing circular economy strategies across industry, policy, and communications.

The discussion also explores the structural challenges that still exist within circular systems, and what needs to change to scale real impact across sectors.

Key themes covered in this episode:

• Why more women are entering sustainability leadership roles
• Structural barriers that still limit women’s representation at the top
• Policy and infrastructure gaps slowing circular systems and recycling
• The challenge of scaling circular packaging and industry initiatives
• Opportunities for women to shape the circular economy in the UAE and GCC

…and much more on leadership, policy, and the future of circular systems.

From aluminium recycling and packaging systems to cross-industry collaboration, this episode offers valuable insights into how circular economy ambitions can translate into real progress.

Subscribe to Sustainability Café for more conversations with industry leaders driving sustainability, circular economy, and industrial innovation.

What does sustainability look like for one of the region’s leading cable manufacturers?

In this episode of Sustainability Café, host Keerthana R., Editor of Waste & Recycling Magazine, sits down with Charles Mellagui, CEO of Ducab Cables Business, to explore the company’s sustainability goals, decarbonisation roadmap, and approach to circular economy practices.

The conversation covers Ducab’s strategy to scale responsibly amid growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure, reduce operational carbon footprint, and advance circular material use and responsible manufacturing. The episode also highlights opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable material flows across industrial ecosystems.

Watch the full episode and discover how infrastructure leaders are driving practical sustainability.

🎙 New Episode: In Conversation with Amr Salem

In this episode of Sustainability Cafe, we sit down with Amr Salem, Regional Sales Manager MEA at Lindner Recyclingtech, to explore Lindner’s pivotal role in advancing recycling technologies across the Middle East & Africa.

Amr shares insights on Lindner’s 70-year legacy, its cutting-edge waste processing solutions, and how AI & automation are shaping the future of recycling in the region. 

If you're passionate about sustainability and innovation, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of Sustainability Cafe, we are delighted to feature Salman Abdulla, Executive Vice President of ESG & Sustainability at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA).

Salman discusses his remarkable 40-year journey, his role in EGA’s industry-leading decarbonisation and recycling initiatives, and his dedication to responsible sourcing. Salman shares defining leadership moments, key lessons learnt and his vision for the metals industry’s sustainable future, providing insights for both current and aspiring sustainability professionals.

In this episode, we feature Dr. Daker El Rabaya, CEO of BEEAH Recycling. Dr. El Rabaya shares insights from his journey in the waste and recycling industry, from leading the Emirates Waste to Energy project to advancing BEEAH's "Zero Waste" vision.

Discover how he tackles industry challenges, drives innovation, and contributes to sustainable development in the Middle East!

Subscribe to 'Sustainability Cafe' podcast for more inspiring stories from leaders in waste and recycling!

In this episode, we feature Ibrahim Abdulmajid Al Ali, Director of Strategic Planning and Policies at Tadweer Group, Abu Dhabi. Ibrahim shares insights from his extensive career, from his early days at Tadweer to managing significant waste management projects. Discover how he navigates industry challenges, shapes strategic policies, and contributes to Abu Dhabi's ambitious waste management goals. Don't miss this insightful conversation on overcoming obstacles and leading innovative initiatives in sustainability. 

Are you ready to be inspired? 

Our special guest speaker Stuart Fleming, Co-founder and Managing Director of EnviroServe shares his insights on his journey of being a leading entrepreneur in the environmental space, his vision and journey from ideas to actions, goal setting, mentoring, working with the UAE government on environmental policy decisions, the start of Recycling hub, the world’s largest e-waste recycling facility and so much more...

In this new episode of Trash Matters, Ahmed Albatta speaks to us about the region's first Waste-to-Hydrogen facility, by Bee'ah using RODECS technology which will process non-recyclable plastic waste & waste wood to produce green hydrogen- the cleanest energy source!

In conversation with Nikeeta N Jain, founder and CEO, Vardhman Auto Recycling, where she speaks about the Global Women Recycling Forum that she launched on Women's Day this year.

Maryam Al Mansoori, General Manager, Rebound Plastic Exchange is well-versed in government policy and was part of the UAE Cabinet. She is an expert in economics and the environment, and currently heads Rebound Exchange, a global quality-assured trading platform that enables buyers and sellers to efficiently trade recycled plastic with confidence.

Our editor Keerthana R had an engaging conversation with Ms. Al Mansoori - where they spoke about the plastic industry, recycling, her story and much more.