Amidst the tall buildings and the lustrous skyline of Dubai lies an urgency that calls for an immediate solution – the silent weight of industrial waste. The need for a sustainable strategy grows as we struggle to manage the footprint left behind by Dubai’s beloved industries.
Unfortunately, industrial waste has always been looked at as a hazard for the public meant to be disposed of safely. Can Dubai repurpose its waste and transition to a zero-waste community?
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Dubai & Sustainable Waste Management
- Dubai’s Industrial Waste Challenges
- Managing Dubai’s Industrial Waste: Strategies & Initiatives
- Dubai Industrial Strategy (2016)
- Circular Economy Policy (2021-2031)
- UAE Net Zero (2050)
- Partnering for Progress: How AAKI contributes to Responsible Waste Management
- Conclusion
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- Dubai’s Industrial Waste Challenges
As of mid-2023, Dubai reported 155,998 tonnes of industrial waste. The number is a result of several reasons, from Dubai’s construction industry to hazardous chemicals and electronics. The construction industry alone generates nearly 5,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste (Dubai Statistics Center, 2023).
To curb this number would be a monumental task, given that Dubai is a rapidly urbanizing region, and is thus going through large amounts of industrialization. As of 1990, Dubai had a total of 478 operating establishments, and by the year 2022, this number has risen to over 3000 industries (Ministry of Finance and Industry, 2022).
Containing 3 million inhabitants within the city, solid waste has always been disposed of in copious amounts, consisting of waste from residents, animals, and construction streams (World Population Review, 2023).
The question remains – what has Dubai done to control its industrial waste?
- Managing Dubai’s Industrial Waste: Strategies & Initiatives
- Dubai Industrial Strategy (2016)
This strategy aims to transform the UAE into a platform combining innovation, growth, and sustainability. This strategy is meant to generate an additional AED 160 billion by 2030 (Khaleej Times, 2016).
- Circular Economy Policy (2021 – 2031)
The policy identified the industrial and manufacturing sector as one of the four priority sectors to develop a circular economy within. Multiple actions have been recommended to achieve these outcomes, from the labelling and branding of goods to supporting Research and Development into creating technologies such as pollution prevention and re-manufacturing (Government of United Arab Emirates).
- UAE Net Zero (2050)
The UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative is a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so.
In terms of waste management, the strategy targets 100% re-use and recycling of municipal waste by 2030, eliminating any waste to landfills. The plan also aims to increase the use of recycled water in RTA’s buildings and facilities to 40% by 2050.
- Partnering for Progress: How AAKI contributes to Responsible Waste Management
Unlock your potential to make a positive environmental impact with AAKI! Our tailored consultations support responsible waste management, fitting your unique needs. Count on us to guide you every step of the way, helping you find a personalized plan that works.
In the future, we aim to conduct a waste audit within 20 industrial facilities. This would help in capturing the quantity of organic waste generated from different industrial activities, hence understanding their challenges towards sustainable practices. Choose AAKI for zero-waste solutions and expert waste management in Dubai.
As Dubai continues to evolve as a hub for innovation and industry, the efforts made by the government to promote recycling, move to a circular economy, and introduce green initiatives is a testament to their commitment to responsible industry practices and sustainable growth. Through such commitment, innovation, and engagement, it is certain that Dubai will set an example for sustainable urban development worldwide.
Written by Rhea Siemone Dsouza
