With the increasing environmental issues, one of the major problems is that of landfills and to address the matter Dubai has come up with a new environmental strategy by launching ways to boost recycling rates, meet international standards for emissions and sustainability and help propel the emirate towards its goal of sending zero waste to landfill by 2030.

Dubai Municipality took the sail in their hands and made provisions to make waste management across the emirate more efficient and encourage businesses to do their part. As a part of the Executive Council resolution on waste disposal in Dubai, the drive will come into force in January.

The municipality will work closely with commercial and industrial companies, government agencies, and private sector bodies to bring about a culture of waste efficiency and protect the environment.

Through the eco-friendly blueprint, all waste producers will have to separate recyclable materials from waste production sites, whether they are companies, hotels, shopping centers, or others. The waste will then be sent to recycling facilities instead of landfill sites and pay fees for waste disposal.

“Apart from promoting sustainability, the Executive Council resolution aims to efficiently regulate the waste management sector in the emirate and reduce its carbon footprint,” shared Abdul Majeed Saifai, director of waste management at Dubai Municipality, adding, “The resolution allows recycling facilities to impose charges on the waste they receive and treat in their facilities, thus enabling them to cover a large part of their operational costs and raise the economic feasibility of investing in this field.”

At present, there are six landfill sites in Dubai covering an area of about 1.6 million square meters and about 75 percent of the UAE's waste goes to landfills.

To make it more efficient, colour-coded recycling bins will also soon be introduced across the country. Moreover, the authorities have been urging people to recycle where they can and choose water coolers over plastic water bottles. The government has also charted a set of rules for waste management companies, including how to treat hazardous items disposed of and wastewater.