Rana El Hage

Jordanian circular economy pioneer transforming waste management in the Middle East

Rana El Hage is the founder of Recycle Exchange, a Jordan-based social enterprise that has diverted over 12,000 tons of waste from landfills since 2021. This platform connects businesses with recyclers through an AI-powered marketplace, creating circular supply chains across 7 Middle Eastern countries. A mechanical engineer by training, El Hage developed a unique waste classification system that identifies 200+ material types using smartphone cameras. Her work has prevented 3.8 million liters of water pollution and created 1,500 green jobs in underserved communities. In 2023, the initiative expanded into solar-powered waste collection trucks with blockchain tracking. The United Nations recognized her model as a blueprint for post-conflict environmental recovery, particularly in Lebanon and Gaza. El Hage's TEDx talk 'From Waste to Wealth' has been translated into 15 languages, inspiring similar models in Senegal and Pakistan. She recently launched the Arab Recycling Network to map 10,000 waste processing facilities by 2026.