Rana Tellawi

Jordanian tech entrepreneur and founder of Green Falcon, revolutionizing e-waste management in the Middle East

Rana Tellawi (b.1989) is redefining environmental entrepreneurship in the Arab world through her company Green Falcon. Launched in 2015, this Amman-based startup has diverted over 10,000 tons of e-waste from landfills, recovering precious metals worth $2.5 million. Tellawi's innovation lies in creating a circular economy model that provides tech repair services while training marginalized youth in sustainable practices.

Her initiative addresses a critical gap: the Middle East generates 5kg of e-waste per capita annually, yet lacks formal recycling infrastructure. Green Falcon's operations include:

• First ISO-certified e-waste recycling facility in Jordan
• Mobile repair units providing affordable tech maintenance in rural areas
• Upcycling program transforming e-scrap into artisanal products

Through partnerships with UNDP and Microsoft, Tellawi developed Jordan's first e-waste management curriculum, now taught in 30 vocational schools. Her educational videos on safe disposal methods have reached 2 million viewers. In 2020, she pioneered the region's first blockchain-based recycling tracking system, ensuring full transparency in material flows.

Tellawi's impact extends to social equity: 60% of her employees are women from underserved communities, earning above-average wages. Her apprenticeship program has empowered 300+ youth with digital skills, reducing unemployment in deprived areas by 15%. This dual focus on environmental and social sustainability earned her the UNEP Young Champions of the Earth award in 2019.

Innovative ventures include:

• E-waste-to-energy pilot project converting circuit boards into construction materials
• Collaboration with NASA on space-grade material recycling techniques
• First Arab country e-waste exchange platform connecting recyclers and manufacturers

Tellawi's work has inspired similar ventures in Lebanon and Egypt, proving that sustainable tech solutions can thrive in resource-constrained environments. Her TEDx talk 'E-Waste: The Middle East's Hidden Treasure' has over 1.2 million views, positioning her as a global thought leader in circular economy practices.