Raneem Haddad

Jordanian environmentalist leading plastic waste revolution through innovative recycling solutions

Raneem Haddad is a pioneering environmental engineer from Jordan who developed the Plastic Revolution initiative, a decentralized recycling system that has transformed 15 million kg of plastic waste into construction materials since 2020. Her TED Talk 'Turning Trash into Treasure' showcases how her team converts plastic waste into eco-bricks used in building affordable housing. In partnership with UN Habitat, her technology has been deployed in 8 Middle Eastern countries, creating 2,500 green jobs by 2023. Haddad's 2021 invention of Smart Separators - AI-powered waste sorting machines - increased recycling rates by 65% in Amman municipalities. She co-authored the World Economic Forum report on circular economy models for arid regions, influencing Jordan's 2025 National Waste Management Strategy. Her work has reduced marine plastic pollution in the Red Sea by 40% through partnerships with coastal communities, earning her the Global Green Hero Award in 2023.