Expo City Dubai will mark Global Recycling Day on 18 March with a series of complimentary, interactive experiences for all ages, tackling everything from food composting and donation to electronics recycling.

The event – a collaboration between Expo City and its recycling partners – will take place at Al Wasl Plaza and invites visitors to bring their recyclables, such as plastic bottles, cans, cardboard and old devices, to gain tips and discover first-hand how this waste can be upcycled, recycled, and repurposed.

Highlights include an inside look into the stages of composting with women-owned, Dubai-based start-up The Waste Lab; a workshop and competition where participants will dismantle their own old computers and understand the importance of proper disposal of parts with Ecyclex; melting and moulding plastics into new shapes with recycling project Precious Plastic; and a showcase of Dulsco’s ‘New, Old and Reloved’ initiative, which upcycles bulky materials into stylish furniture and decorative pieces.

Visitors can also learn about recycling used clothes through Kiswa; innovative and environmentally sustainable packaging options from Avani, Sineo and Acuflex; rewards for recycling using reverse vending machines by Sparklo; and seamless, data-driven food donation through tech platform Replate.

The activations, which will run repeatedly from 10:00-14:00, are open to both children and adults on a first-come, first-served basis.