As an element of Dubai’s Smart Sustainability Oasis (SSO) initiative, seventeen recycling bins are strategically positioned throughout the emirate for the collection of twenty-eight different types of waste helping to divert more than 8,000 kg of recyclable materials per week.
The Smart Sustainability Oasis (SSO) initiative in Dubai collects 18 different types of materials using 17 colorful recycling bins distributed across the emirate. These containers, which are overseen by the Dubai Municipality, are an integral part of the city’s vast recycling program.
Environmental Advancements
Launched in 2018, the initiative has prevented the disposal of approximately 2.5 million metric tons of garbage, which has helped Dubai achieve its environmental sustainability targets and is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. At all hours of the day and night, the recycling centers take in all kinds of trash, including old electronics and metal.
Recyclables are also collected from other projects, such as My City, My Environment, and the NORD system. All collected recyclables are diverted to approved treatment and recycling plants and facilities, where they are transformed into new products.
Waste Segregation at the Source
Saeed Abdul Rahim Safar, Acting Director of the Waste Operations Department at DM, emphasizes the success of the initiative in fostering waste segregation and recycling culture within the local community. The SSO project supports national environmental targets by promoting responsible waste management practices. The recycling stations facilitate waste segregation at the source, which is crucial for reducing landfill waste and supporting Dubai’s recycling industry.
These purpose-designed centers actively contribute to a circular economy by reusing old shipping containers, each with a 40-cubic-metre capacity. The bins, adorned with multiple colors, serve as collection points for various recyclables, such as electronic devices, mobile phones, and dry batteries. Equipped with remote sensors to track material quantities, the centers leverage solar energy for their electricity needs. Recyclable materials collected from these bins and other projects are directed to approved treatment and recycling facilities, transforming them into new products. Non-recyclable byproducts are sent to the Warsan Waste-to-Energy Centre, where they undergo digestion and conversion into energy.
The Smart Sustainability Oasis project stands as a testament to Dubai’s commitment to environmental responsibility, fostering community engagement, and supporting the circular economy through innovative recycling initiatives.
