Singapore -- (SBWire) -- 07/05/2011 --Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) and National Environment Agency (NEA) launched a brand new trade event, WasteMET Asia, an exhibition and conference in solid waste management and environmental technology. Co-located with Singapore International Water Week and World Cities Summit in July 2012, the inaugural event is proud to have International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) as a strategic partner. WasteMET Asia is also supported by Economic Development Board, International Enterprise Singapore, JTC Corporation, Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau, and SPRING Singapore.

The launch took place at Singapore’s 2011 symposium on waste management, jointly organised by WMRAS and NEA, and supported by ISWA and Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), which was attended by ISWA Chairman, Mr Jeff Cooper; ISWA Board Member and of ISWA Working Group on Energy Recovery Vice-Chair, Mr Jorgen Haukohl; President of National Solid Waste Association of India, Dr Amiya Kumar Sahu; the Mayor of Yogyakarta, MR Herry Zudianto; NEA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Tan; and WMRAS Chairman, Mr Guah Eng Hock.

A platform for knowledge exchange, a springboard for business

WasteMET Asia comes at a time when challenges such as environmental degradation, resource recovery, transformation of waste into energy as well as minimisation of waste entering landfills are becoming more pertinent than ever in Asia. According to a report by the World Bank, by 2025, governments will have to spend an estimated US$50 billion to manage 1.8 million tonnes of solid waste per year in just the urban areas of Asia alone. Against this backdrop, WasteMET Asia will address the theme of “East Meets Waste – Solid Waste Management Solutions for A Growing Asia”, which spotlights on the various issues and opportunities in the solid waste management sector in Asia, home to the world’s fastest growing cities.

With an aim to bring together both the private and public sectors to ensure sustainable solid waste management systems and develop more resource recovery solutions, WasteMET Asia will feature a trade exhibition at which manufacturers and solution providers will showcase their latest innovative equipment and technologies. At the same time, industry experts and market leaders will discuss best practices and trends at a thought leadership summit and various technical conferences. Delegates can also look forward to business exchange sessions, networking functions and technical visits, where they can gain more insight into the expanding solid waste management industry.

Mr Guah said, “WasteMET Asia will be a major event that will bring together market leaders and industry practitioners in Asia and around the world. It will provide the opportunity for the waste management and recycling communities to network and keep abreast of latest developments from both business and technical perspectives. This is definitely one event that anyone involved in waste management or recycling should not miss.”

Mr Tan added, “WasteMET Asia aims to offer a strategic platform for networking with top government and industry leaders, as well as senior policy makers globally and regionally in this sector. This opens the gateway to possible new market ventures and opportunities, making WasteMET Asia the international marketplace for clean environment leaders, waste management and recycling solution providers and buyers to exchange knowledge and contacts. NEA is pleased to partner WMRAS to bring this exciting event to the global waste management and recycling industry.”

WasteMET Asia 2012, to be held from 2 to 5 July at Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, is managed by Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd. For more information and updates, please access http://www.wastemetasia.sg.