Moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) comes with learning a lot of new systems and rules, and it can be hard to get it right at first. But understanding UAE recycling rules is one way you can help balance the country’s rapid growth with environmental responsibility.
At Remitly, we care about the environment. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on UAE recycling rules, looking at what can and can’t be recycled, the most common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips for recycling in major emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to recycle correctly in the UAE.
Why recycling matters in the UAE
Following the correct recycling rules across the UAE is one way you can help protect the environment. The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative is an ambitious attempt to make sure that the country’s rapid economic growth doesn’t come at the price of the environment. To meet the bold target set by the government, every individual, household, and business needs to play their part.
By following UAE recycling guidelines, the impact adds up. When you recycle, you help reduce landfill waste, which cuts down harmful methane gas emissions and keeps valuable land free for other uses. It also saves natural resources such as water and energy. For example, every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons, or 1438 litres, of oil.
Recycling also helps to lower carbon emissions, which makes living in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi cleaner and more sustainable. Learning how to recycle in Dubai or any other emirate means understanding the recycling rules and following them closely to help protect the environment.
Proper recycling is easy, and when we all do it, it can have a huge impact. Every can, bottle, or box placed in the right bin helps move the UAE closer to a greener and more sustainable future.
The golden rules of recycling: what goes where?
Following the recycling rules begins with knowing what belongs where. If you sort your waste correctly, you can make recycling more efficient and make sure the materials you use can be processed instead of ending up in the landfill.
Here’s a guide to common recyclables:
| Category | What to include | What to exclude |
| Paper & cardboard | Newspapers, magazines, office paper, flattened cardboard boxes. | Greasy pizza boxes, used paper towels, and laminated or wax-coated paper. |
| Plastics | Clean water bottles, milk jugs, shampoo and detergent bottles, yoghurt pots, takeaway food containers, and plastic shopping bags. Look for recycling symbols 1, 2, or 5. Always make sure to rinse food out of containers before recycling. | Plastic bags, bubble wrap, styrofoam, single-use cutlery, plastic toys, and paint buckets. |
| Metals | Aluminium drink cans, steel food tins. Make sure to rinse before recycling. | Paint cans, batteries, aerosol cans (unless accepted by your local service). |
| Glass | Glass bottles and jars (all colours). Make sure to rinse before recycling. | Light bulbs, mirrors, ceramics, broken window glass. |
Unrecyclable and potentially hazardous items like batteries and light bulbs need to be taken to drop-off locations. E-waste, such as old laptops and phones, also needs to be taken to a drop-off point or traded in for something new at the retailer.
Before you bin it: three simple preparation steps
Even if you know the UAE recycling guidelines by heart, it’s still important to know how to prepare your recyclables. Contamination is the enemy of recycling systems. Contaminating a bin with the wrong item can lead to entire batches of recyclables ending up in landfill instead of getting reused.
Follow these simple steps to make sure that your efforts truly count, and keep the recycling process efficient across every emirate.
1. Rinse
It’s important to rinse containers to remove leftover food, oil, or drink residue. You don’t need to scrub or use soap, so don’t waste water trying to get them sparkling clean. The idea is just to give them a light rinse and remove residue.
Under the UAE’s recycling rules, dirty containers and greasy packaging often can’t be processed, and they may cause other materials to be discarded as well.
2. Dry
Try to let your recyclables air dry before you put them in the bin. This is especially important with items like paper and cardboard that are easily damaged by moisture. Mould from wet paper can also contaminate other recyclable materials, so let them dry out fully before you recycle them.
3. Don’t bag
Unless your local waste collection service tells you to, it’s better not to put recyclables in plastic bags. These can jam up the sorting facilities and often result in the contents of the bag being sent to the landfill instead of being recycled. The best idea is to put your items loose in the recycling bin instead.
These are easy steps to follow, but they’re important to make sure that the items you’ve taken the trouble to recycle end up being reused in the right way.
Recycling rules across the Emirates
Most recycling programs follow the rules and guidance listed above. However, there are some minor subtleties to the rules depending on exactly where you live. Let’s take a look at how things work in major cities. If in doubt, check your local municipal website to get the most up-to-date guidance.
Dubai
- Dubai uses a colour-coded bin system: Green bins are for mixed dry recyclables, including paper and glass, while black bins are for non-recyclable waste, including food.
- In some areas, you’ll also find a brown bin that’s used for organic or food waste. Only leftover food goes in these bins.
- Dubai municipality offers tools like the Dubai Now app that can help you follow UAE recycling guidelines. You can also use the app to check bin collection schedules, request new containers, and find recycling centres.
- There are also private companies that offer recycling facilities. For example, you can use the Smart Oasis recycling centres for difficult-to-dispose-of items or reverse vending machines for bottles and cans.
Abu Dhabi
- Tadweer, formerly called Abu Dhabi Waste Management, oversees Abu Dhabi waste and recycling.
- The system usually uses two bins: a green one for all recyclables and another one for general waste.
- Tadweer also operates Recyclable Material Collection Centres throughout this emirate, where you can drop off bulky items or specialised waste that can’t be recycled at home.
Other emirates
- In Sharjah, Bee’ah handles waste management.
- Bee’ah operates extensive processing infrastructure, including the Al Saja’ah
complex, and they also support community recycling programs.
- In smaller or more rural emirates, recycling programs are sometimes less developed. It’s always a good idea to check your local municipality website or app so that you can get specific instructions on following the UAE recycling guidelines.
Common recycling mistakes to avoid
Even if your intentions are good, it’s easy to accidentally break recycling rules without realising it. Keep an eye out for these common mistakes, and you can make sure that your efforts will help the country’s sustainability goals.
1. Wish-cycling
This is when people put items in the recycling bin, hoping that they’re recyclable, without knowing for sure that they are. Unfortunately, this often causes problems. Contaminated loads can result in entire batches of recyclables getting sent to the landfill.
People often wish-cycle plastic toys, food wrappers, tissues, and takeaway containers lined with foil or wax. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as giving containers a rinse to make them recyclable.
The golden rule is, “When in doubt, throw it out.” In other words, if you’re not sure if something can be recycled, it’s best to throw it in the general garbage. It’s better to throw away one item that could possibly have been recycled than to ruin an entire bin of recyclables by putting in an item that shouldn’t be there.
2. Batteries and electronics
Special rules apply to batteries, old phones, laptops, and light bulbs. These are considered e-waste. They contain metals and chemicals that need to be handled separately. That’s why they should never go into household recycling bins.
The best thing to do is to take them to designated e-waste drop-off points. You can find these at municipal collection centres, but also in malls and supermarkets. Tadweer in Abu Dhabi and Bee’ah in Sharjah provide specific bins and recycling programs for these items.
3. Food waste
Food waste is one of the biggest reasons for recyclable items getting rejected. A pizza box covered in oil and cheese can contaminate an entire batch of paper. That’s why it’s so important to rinse food and drink containers before you recycle.
If oil or grease has soaked into cardboard or paper, it’s best practice to throw it out instead.
Effective recycling isn’t just about what you recycle, but also about how you prepare it. Avoid these mistakes, and you can do your bit to keep the UAE’s recycling system running effectively.
Small action, big impact
Recycling works best when everyone does their part. From big corporations and government agencies to individual households, we can all help meet sustainability targets by being careful with what we throw away.
The UAE has a very advanced recycling system, which makes it easy to make sure your items get reused. Knowing what items go in what bin can help you reduce your carbon footprint and build a greener, more sustainable UAE for everyone.
FAQs
Where can I recycle electronics in Abu Dhabi?
Electronics and batteries are considered e-waste and need to go to dedicated collection sites. In Abu Dhabi, you can drop them at Tadweer’s e-waste recycling stations. Some malls and community centres also have collection points.
What plastics are recyclable in the UAE?
Plastics labelled with numbers one, two, and five are the most commonly accepted in household recycling bins. Always rinse and dry them before recycling to prevent contamination.
How do I recycle large or bulky items?
For furniture, appliances, and other big items, contact your local municipality. In Abu Dhabi, you can use Tadweer collection services, while in Sharjah, you can use Bee’ah. Some municipalities also offer drop-off stations or even pick up for these items.