Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi Issues Regulation for Waste Management

A Brief Summary

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the competent authority for regulating and protecting the environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has called for the regulation for integrated waste management, approved by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EAD.

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The regulation is based on Local Law No. 21 of 2005 for managing waste in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to regulate and enhance waste management in the Emirates. The goal is to reduce and reuse generated waste in all forms and incorporate the best strategies available for waste treatment, recycling, resource recovery and safe disposal.

The regulation will protect the environment, minimise harm to human health and help achieve national and local indicators related to waste, subsequently supporting initiatives towards sustainable development.

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the EAD, said, "The regulation is the first of its kind at the emirate's level, contributing towards overcoming challenges in the field of waste management and helping the development and sound management of waste and attracting investments to the waste sector. The regulation also helps prevent duplicated efforts in the waste management sector, as it clearly defines the roles of each concerned entity from a legislative, regulatory, and operational perspective. To ensure this, the EAD will coordinate with concerned authorities to prepare and implement awareness programmes to raise the awareness of community members, environmental service providers, various sectors, and entrepreneurs about the regulation, to achieve its objectives."

The regulation, she explained, applies to all vital sectors in the emirate, including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, craft, professional, service, health, and institutional sectors, which include governmental and semi-governmental entities, universities, institutes, schools, and training centres.

The regulation also affirms the EAD's commitment to building a sustainable, effective, and integrated waste management strategy in the Emirate, which is one of the EAD's top objectives for environmental and public health protection. The EAD works with interested governmental bodies to execute the regulations' requirements to achieve an integrated waste system that minimises waste transportation to landfills, promotes a circular economy, and employs the best possible techniques and technology.

Faisal Al Hammadi, Acting Executive Director of the Environmental Quality Sector, stated, "The regulation defines the basic principles of integrated waste management in the emirate, and the environmental licencing procedures for waste management facilities and environmental service providers. It also identifies the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and concerned entities, and the obligations of waste management facilities, environmental service providers and waste generators. The regulation also streamlines regulates the process of transferring waste among Emirates and exporting it outside of the country."

According to Al Hammadi, the EAD began executing the regulation's provisions after drafting an executive plan and discussing it with the Emirate's relevant authorities. The executive plan contained various processes and activities that will be executed over the next years and will have a favourable impact on the Emirate's present waste management procedures for more effective and integrated waste management. The EAD also devised a strategy for assessing the regulation's success in achieving the desired goals and indicators.

The regulation aims to encourage investment in the waste industry, as well as recruit specialised enterprises and foster waste management innovation. These include methods for trash collection, segregation, recycling, and treatment utilising the most advanced technology, as well as reducing unlawful garbage disposal and improving landfill conditions.

The EAD established the law in collaboration with all key government agencies throughout the development process, and it is in line with federal and municipal plans and objectives, as well as the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's 2030 environmental vision.