Ras Al Khaimah turns camel waste into power source
The process has helped reduce the amount of wastes dumped into landfills.
Taking the country’s waste-to-energy drive to the next level, Ras Al Khaimah has found a way to turn camel waste into a source of electricity. It is now used to power cement factories in the emirate.
Dr Saif Al Ghais, director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in RAK, explained that camel waste is mixed with other materials to generate electricity.
“Camel wastes, trees and some solid trash have been converted into power that is now successfully used in operating cement factories,” Dr Al Ghais said. The process has helped reduce the amount of wastes dumped into landfills.
“This is in line with the national strategy that aimed to preserve natural resources and boost the percentage of recycling and sustainability.”
The latest innovation in the emirate is just one part of its green strategy, as experts continue to conduct studies in search of more eco-friendly power sources.
“Studies are on to convert furnace heat into power to reduce dependence on electricity in operating cement factories here,” Dr Al Ghais said.
“The same applies to cooking oil that can hopefully be used in this major industry.”
The department is also cracking down on factories that violate environmental laws.
Recently, a factory was ordered closed for recycling old tyres, exceeding the set percentage for carbon emissions.
“All the cement factories operating in the emirate now need to strictly observe a set of rules in their production processes,” said Dr Al Ghais said.
They all need to monitor their emissions and use alternative power sources, he added.
