In a significant step toward packaging circularity, Sparklo and Mai Dubai have partnered to deploy AI-powered reverse vending machines across the UAE, aiming to reward consumers and boost PET recycling.
Cleantech innovator Sparklo and leading bottled water brand Mai Dubai have announced a strategic partnership to promote sustainable consumer behaviour and PET recycling across the UAE. The collaboration will see the installation of 30 AI-enabled reverse vending machines (RVMs), branded as Sparklomats, in key urban areas including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
The machines will be placed in high-footfall locations such as schools, retail environments, and residential communities, encouraging consumers to return used PET bottles conveniently. For each item deposited, users will earn Sparklo points, redeemable for rewards — including discounts on Mai Dubai’s home water delivery service, starting in May.
The initiative aims to establish a closed-loop recycling system specifically tailored for Mai Dubai products, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to circular economy principles and the UAE’s broader sustainability goals under the Net Zero 2050 and Circular Economy Policy frameworks.
The official signing ceremony took place on April 21 at Mai Dubai’s headquarters, attended by Sparklo CEO Maxim Kaplevich and Mai Dubai CEO Abraham Kah. The event featured the unveiling of the first co-branded Sparklomat, symbolising the rollout’s commencement and the shared vision of both organizations.
“This partnership fully reflects Sparklo’s mission: to bring every bottle back into the economy by making recycling easy, accessible, and rewarding,” said Kaplevich. “It’s our first collaboration with a bottled water brand that not only ensures bottles are recycled but also incentivizes people to take part in the process. We’re proud that this starts here in the UAE, our home market, with a partner that shares our vision.”
Founded with the goal of transforming recycling into a user-centric digital experience, Sparklo’s platform is powered by AI and smart sensors. The company has already collected over 90 million PET and aluminium containers across the MENA region, including more than 81 million in the UAE alone. The Sparklomat units are designed for accessibility, allowing users to easily scan, deposit, and earn points through a mobile app.
For Mai Dubai, the initiative aligns with its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability into its operations. The company operates the region’s only 100% solar-powered bottled water facility and has taken numerous steps to reduce its carbon footprint and promote environmental responsibility.
“At Mai Dubai, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do — from renewable energy to responsible packaging,” said Abraham Kah. “This partnership with Sparklo enables us to take that commitment further by empowering consumers to participate directly in the recycling loop. Together, we’re not just hydrating the nation — we’re shaping a sustainable future for the UAE.”
The collaboration represents a growing trend in the packaging and beverage industry, where smart technologies and incentive-based systems are increasingly seen as critical tools for improving recycling rates and achieving environmental targets. By making the recycling process both convenient and rewarding, Sparklo and Mai Dubai hope to catalyse behaviour change and help set new standards for brand-led circularity in the region.
“Together, we’re creating a true closed-loop system that ensures materials don’t become waste, but a resource for the future.” – Maxim Kaplevich, CEO, Sparklo.
As the rollout begins in May, both companies plan to evaluate its impact and explore further expansion based on consumer engagement and recycling performance.