Grandiose and Sparklo Expand Strategic Collaboration to Advance Retail-Led Recycling in the UAE
Grandiose, a premier quality food and grocery retailer in the UAE with nearly 50 stores and a member of Ghassan Aboud Holding, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sparklo, the UAE-based cleantech company building one of the region’s most accessible smart recycling ecosystems.
The agreement marks the next phase in a growing partnership focused on embedding scalable recycling infrastructure across Grandiose stores nationwide.
From Pilot to Scale: Formalising a High-Impact Partnership
The MoU builds on a collaboration that began in May 2024, when Sparklo Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were first introduced in selected Grandiose locations. Since launch, the initiative has demonstrated how retail environments can play a practical and influential role in advancing national sustainability goals by integrating circular economy solutions into everyday consumer journeys.
Measurable Environmental Impact at Retail Scale
Across ten Sparklo-powered RVMs installed in high-traffic Grandiose stores, more than 4.7 million plastic bottles have been collected and diverted from waste streams. This equates to 113 tonnes of plastic recovered and has helped prevent over 715,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions, underscoring the tangible environmental gains that can be achieved when accessible infrastructure is implemented at scale.
Driving Behaviour Change Through Everyday Engagement
Beyond environmental outcomes, the initiative has delivered clear behavioural impact. More than 11,500 registered users have actively engaged with the machines, incorporating recycling into their regular shopping routines. In several locations, individual machines recorded collections of over 5,000 bottles per day, highlighting sustained participation and the effectiveness of retail settings in encouraging positive environmental action.
Strengthened by Cross-Sector Collaboration
The programme is further supported through collaboration with Emirates District Cooling (Emicool), a leading provider of sustainable district cooling services in the UAE, which co-operates a number of RVMs within selected Grandiose locations. Such cross-sector partnerships enhance the long-term sustainability and scalability of the initiative, reinforcing a shared commitment to responsible consumption and environmental progress.
Aligning Retail Innovation with National Sustainability Frameworks
Through this expanded collaboration, Grandiose positions itself among UAE retailers taking early, proactive steps to align with evolving federal and emirate-level sustainability frameworks. By deploying scalable recycling infrastructure ahead of upcoming regulatory requirements, the retailer demonstrates both readiness for future compliance and a customer-centric commitment to supporting national waste reduction and emissions targets.
Leadership Perspectives
Commenting on the expanded collaboration, Mussaab Aboud, CEO of Grandiose, said:
“At Grandiose, we believe retail has a critical role to play in advancing the UAE’s sustainability agenda. This collaboration with Sparklo directly supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and circular economy ambitions by making responsible recycling part of everyday life for our customers. By embedding accessible, scalable recycling infrastructure across our stores, we are translating national environmental strategies into practical action that delivers measurable impact today while preparing for the future.”
Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, added:
“Grandiose’s approach demonstrates how retail can be a powerful driver of real change in the sustainability transition. By investing early in innovative, consumer-centric recycling solutions, Grandiose is transforming everyday shopping into an opportunity for measurable environmental impact. This partnership shows how forward-thinking retailers can turn national sustainability ambitions into action that genuinely resonates with customers.”
Next Phase: Doubling Impact Through Expansion
Building on the success of the initial phase, Sparklo and Grandiose will now focus on expanding machine deployment and doubling collection volumes. The next stage of the partnership targets the collection of 10 million recyclables, reinforcing the role of retail-led infrastructure in delivering long-term environmental impact across the UAE.
