• 44 centers for sorting and collecting garbage distributed in different areas
• Reducing the rate of waste generation and converting it from a burden to an economic resource
• 55 million and 345 thousand tons of construction waste were treated and recycled

Abu Dhabi: “The Gulf”

The UAE has succeeded in developing and implementing an integrated system in the waste treatment and recycling sector in accordance with the highest internationally recognized standards as part of its continuous efforts to achieve the goals of the national agenda seeking to achieve a sustainable environment. and in a manner that supports the objectives of the Strategic Initiative for Climate Neutrality 2050.

The UAE is making great efforts to reduce the rate of waste generation, and the country has made progress in transforming waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource through recycling.

At the end of last year, the number of mines (waste separation and collection centers) in the United Arab Emirates reached about 44 centers distributed in different parts of the country, according to data from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the country succeeded. Treatment and recycling of about 55 million and 345 thousand tons of waste, demolition and construction in 2021, with a rate of more than 82 percent of the total of this type of waste, produced about 120,000 tons of compost in the same year. Agricultural waste treatment operations convert an additional 92 tons of municipal solid waste into energy, and process approximately one million and 778 thousand tons of general industrial waste (non-hazardous).

According to the United Nations, humanity generates two billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, 45 percent of which is not properly managed, and this figure is expected to increase to nearly 4 billion tons by 2050.

The file is one of the most important and important files to be discussed during the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) to be held from November 30 to December 12 this year at Expo City. Dubai.

The recently launched “National Sustainability” campaign with the theme “Road to Climate Neutrality” reviews the UAE’s efforts to address climate change in order to achieve the goals of climate neutrality, in conjunction with preparations for “COP28”. To highlight initiatives and stories, national success in the field of sustainability.

Integrated Waste Management

The United Arab Emirates launched a series of innovative initiatives and practices to encourage interest in all forms of waste recycling, including an integrated waste management initiative, which is in line with the eleventh goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which covers cities and human settlements. , the second goal of ensuring safe, resilient and sustainable, and sustainable consumption and production patterns 11.

As part of this initiative, the United Arab Emirates Federal Law no. 12 of 2018, the first law of its kind at the federal level, encourages the establishment of recycling plants and recovers maximum recyclable waste.

In 2021, the Council of Ministers adopted Federal Law of 2018 no. 12 issued a decision on administrative regulations, which includes defining the responsibilities and roles of waste management authorities, the responsibility of waste producers and suppliers. , and technical and regulatory requirements for landfills.

National database

In 2018, the UAE launched the National Electronic Waste Database, which works to collect all available information from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and competent authorities on all types and classifications of waste in all emirates of the country. Scientific management of this data by analyzing it.

As part of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s efforts to achieve sustainability in the environmental sector, the Ministry issued a decision in 2019 to use alternative fuels resulting from waste treatment operations (RDF) in cement industries. It issued a decision to use recycled construction and demolition waste in road and infrastructure projects.

In 2021, the UAE launched the Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, a comprehensive framework that defines the directions of the UAE in sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Zero waste schools

The zero-waste schools project is one of the transformation projects within the central government agencies’ performance agreements for 2022, which was signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. , may God protect him. Performance contracts represent quality projects that move the country towards the future and improve its competitiveness.

The Ministry, in collaboration with its partners in the project, implements education and awareness workshops for school students and teaching staff, provides waste sorting containers and uses modern technology for waste management in selected schools.

Marine Litter Monitoring

Last April, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launched an integrated program to monitor plastic waste in the UAE’s marine and coastal environment. .

These studies focus on using a wide range of methods to measure the amount and quantities of plastic in ocean waters and on the nation’s beaches.

Converts waste into energy

The waste recycling industry in the UAE has seen major developments in the past few years, expanding in size and scope to include most types of recyclable waste, including electronic waste, plastic waste, used car tires and batteries, and waste from aluminum smelters. Green wastes, and oils.

The year 2022 saw the UAE enter a new phase in the process of promoting clean energy production and efforts to achieve climate neutrality by generating the first kilowatt of electricity from waste treatment in Sharjah. First of its kind in the Middle East.

In Dubai, the Dubai Waste Treatment Center project in the Warsan region stands out as one of the world’s largest waste-to-energy plants, as its capacity can reach the 5,666 tons of municipal solid waste generated by the Emirate of Dubai. per day, and by 2024 approximately 1,900,000 tons of waste will be converted into renewable energy annually.

In 2021, the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi launched a “Waste to Energy Policy” with the aim of supporting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a more sustainable economy by strengthening the role and importance of the circular economy.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is in the process of establishing a 900,000 tonnes per annum waste-to-energy plant to treat municipal solid waste generated in the emirate and divert it from landfill.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has commissioned a model plant for municipal solid waste treatment and production of alternative fuels with an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes. The plant services the emirates of Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. .

Recycle organic waste

Last year, the UAE launched the region’s first project to recycle organic waste and use insects to make animal and fish feed.

The project relies on the cultivation and use of “black soldier fly” insects, which feed on food scraps, which are then turned into animal feed, and their waste is turned into organic compost.

As part of the UAE’s efforts to improve environmental sustainability, the UAE government has set a resolution to regulate the use of single-use products in the country as the country plans to ban single-use plastic bags by 2024. and other disposable bags by 2026.