Recycling is no longer just an eco-conscious choice in the UAE — it’s now your ticket to free shopping, discounts, and daily rewards. Thanks to Sparklo, a UAE-based cleantech company, residents can now earn real incentives every time they recycle a plastic bottle or aluminum can.
Using Sparklo’s cutting-edge, AI-powered reverse vending machines — known as Sparklomats — people across the UAE are turning their empty bottles into redeemable points that can be used on groceries, taxi rides, food delivery, and more.
This bold initiative is changing how people perceive recycling — not as a chore, but as a rewarding lifestyle habit.
“You recycle, and you get rewarded. It’s that simple,” said Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo.
How Free Shopping in UAE Works with Sparklo
The magic starts with Sparklomat — a smart machine equipped with artificial intelligence capable of recognizing recyclable materials within seconds.
Here’s how you get rewarded:
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Drop your plastic bottle or aluminum can into any Sparklomat.
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The machine scans and identifies the item in milliseconds using AI recognition.
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You earn 10 points instantly via the Sparklo mobile app.
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These points can be redeemed for discounts at partner outlets, including supermarkets, ride-hailing services, delivery apps, and more.
This streamlined process requires no manual scanning or preparation. Just drop the item and watch the points roll in.
“You don’t need to scan anything or remove the label. The machine does it all. Just recycle,” said Kaplevich.
Where to Find Sparklomats in the UAE
To make recycling accessible to everyone, Sparklo has placed over 280 machines across various public and private spaces including:
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ADNOC fuel stations
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LuLu Hypermarkets
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Shopping malls
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Residential compounds
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Commercial buildings
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Community centers
Whether you’re filling up fuel, shopping for groceries, or just out for a walk — there’s likely a Sparklomat nearby ready to accept your recyclables and give back in return.
More Than Rewards: A Green Impact at Scale
This initiative is not only driving behavior change — it’s dramatically reducing carbon emissions and diverting waste from landfills.
Impact so far:
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23 million+ bottles and cans recycled in Abu Dhabi alone in 2024
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Over 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions avoided
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95 million+ recyclables collected since launch
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250,000 items processed every day across the UAE
Every bottle recycled through a Sparklomat helps reduce the country’s environmental footprint, supporting the UAE’s Vision 2030 sustainability goals.
A Psychological Boost: Positive Reinforcement
Traditional recycling programs often rely on punitive or refund-based models. Sparklo turns that concept on its head by rewarding positive behavior in real-time.
“Most systems make you pay first and reward you later. We flipped that model,” Kaplevich explained.
Using principles from behavioral science, Sparklo has made recycling instinctive and gratifying. The immediate gratification of earning points encourages repeat behavior and long-term habit formation.
Recycling + Education: Awareness in Action
Sparklomats also serve as educational tools. The machine’s built-in display shows:
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Live recycling statistics
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CO₂ savings per item
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Environmental facts and tips
This subtle but powerful messaging helps users understand how one small action — like recycling a bottle — contributes to a larger global effort.
“When people see how their bottle helped the planet or earned a reward, it motivates them to come back,” said Kaplevich.
A Growing Green Community
The Sparklo movement is quickly becoming a massive sustainability force in the region:
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Over 350,000 active users across the UAE
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Millions of dirhams in rewards distributed
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Recognized as the largest incentive-based recycling program in the Middle East
This shows a major cultural shift — recycling is now cool, convenient, and rewarding.
Key Partnership with Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi
Sparklo’s success has been bolstered by its strategic alliance with the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD). As part of EAD’s Single-Use Plastic Policy, Sparklo plays a major role in implementing the return and recycle model.
“Our collaboration with EAD proves what’s possible when the public and private sectors work together for the environment,” Kaplevich said.
The partnership ensures that Sparklo’s impact aligns with national policy and drives large-scale behavioral change.
Why It Matters: Sustainability Meets Everyday Life
This model of turning trash into treasure is more than a marketing gimmick — it’s a functional shift in how residents view sustainability.
No longer is eco-consciousness limited to government campaigns or global headlines. Now, every UAE resident can contribute daily to climate action, and get rewarded while doing it.
“We’ve made it easy, fast, and rewarding. With every bottle, you’re not just helping the planet — you’re earning something back,” Kaplevich concluded.
What Can You Earn?
Sparklo reward points can be redeemed for:
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Grocery discounts at partner supermarkets
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Taxi rides
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Food delivery
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Retail store coupons
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Lifestyle services
The rewards catalog continues to grow as Sparklo partners with more brands and services across the UAE.
The Future of Recycling in UAE
With such success in a short time, Sparklo is looking to:
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Expand machines to schools, hospitals, and parks
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Integrate Sparklo points with public transport
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Introduce corporate sustainability programs for eco-conscious offices
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Partner with local municipalities for city-wide recycling drives
These steps align with the UAE’s broader commitment to a circular economy, where products and packaging are reused or recycled instead of discarded.
How to Get Started with Sparklo
Getting started is easy and free:
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Download the Sparklo App (available on iOS and Android)
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Find a Sparklomat near you
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Drop your recyclables in
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Watch your rewards add up
The app also shows your eco stats, including how much CO₂ you’ve saved, how many items you’ve recycled, and your ranking in the community leaderboard.
Final Thought: One Bottle at a Time
Free shopping in UAE is now possible — one bottle at a time. Sparklo is making it easier for residents to live sustainably, earn meaningful rewards, and be part of a greener UAE.
Whether it’s a water bottle after a workout or a soda can from lunch, every recyclable item is a step toward smarter consumption, reduced waste, and a healthier planet.
So next time you finish a drink, don’t toss it — Sparklo it.
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