Administrative
Resolution No. (34) of 2026
Issuing
the
Implementing
Bylaw of Law No. (18) of 2024
Regulating
Waste
Management in the Emirate of Dubai[1]
ــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ
The
Director General of the Dubai Municipality,
Federal Law No. (12) of 2018
Concerning Integrated Waste Management, and its Implementing Bylaw, as amended;
Federal
Law by Decree No. (20) of 2020 Concerning Specifications and Standards;
Law
No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate
of Dubai, and its amendments;
Law
No. (8) of 2015 Concerning the Community Development Authority in Dubai;
Law
No. (5) of 2018 Regulating Volunteer Work in the Emirate of Dubai and its
Implementing Bylaw;
Law
No. (20) of 2021 Establishing the Department of Economy and Tourism in the
Emirate of Dubai;
Law
No. (11) of 2024 Establishing the Dubai Environment and Climate Change
Authority;
Law
No. (18) of 2024 Regulating Waste Management in the Emirate of Dubai;
Law
No. (5) of 2025 Concerning Public Health in the Emirate of Dubai;
Decree
No. (34) of 2022 Establishing the Agencies Affiliated to the Dubai Municipality
and Determining their Functions;
Decree
No. (13) of 2024 Establishing the Unified Digital Window for Establishing
Companies in the Emirate of Dubai;
Executive
Council Resolution No. (58) of 2017 Approving the Fees and Fines for Waste
Disposal in the Emirate of Dubai;
Executive
Council Resolution No. (5) of 2024 Approving the Principles of Facilitating the
Investor’s Journey in the Emirate of Dubai;
Local
Order No. (61) of 1991 Concerning Environment Protection Systems in the Emirate
of Dubai;
Local
Order No. (11) of 2003 Concerning Public Health and Community Safety in the
Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;
Administrative
Resolution No. (1316) of 1997 Issuing the Implementing Bylaw of Local Order No.
(115) of 1997 Concerning Medical Waste Management in the Emirate of Dubai; and
The
legislation establishing and regulating free zones in the Emirate of Dubai,
Does
hereby issue this Resolution.
The words and expressions mentioned
in this Resolution will have the same meaning assigned to them in the
above-mentioned Law No. (18) of 2024. For the purposes of this Resolution, the
following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will
have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies
otherwise:
|
Law: |
Law No. (18) of 2024 Regulating Waste Management in
the Emirate of Dubai. |
|
CDA: |
The Community Development Authority in Dubai. |
|
DECCA: |
The Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority. |
|
Agency: |
The Waste and Sewerage Agency of the DM. |
|
CEO: |
The chief executive officer of the Agency. |
|
Licensing Authority: |
An entity legally authorised to license the conduct
of Economic Activities in the Emirate. This includes the Department of
Economy and Tourism and the authorities supervising Special Development Zones
and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre. |
|
Waste-related Activities: |
The activities related to Waste. This includes, but
is not limited to, trading in Waste; the cleaning, collection, Segregation,
Sorting, transportation, storage, import, export, handling, Reuse, Recycling,
Treatment, and final Disposal of Waste; as well as after-care of Disposal
Sites. |
|
Permit: |
A document issued by the Agency authorising an
Establishment to conduct any of the Waste-related Activities in the Emirate
after verifying that the Establishment meets all the requirements stipulated in this Resolution, and the relevant
requirements and criteria adopted by the DM. |
|
Technical Manuals: |
The manuals approved under this Resolution and
published on the DM’s official website. |
|
Unified Digital Window: |
The unified digital platform developed under the
above-mentioned Decree No. (13) of 2024, through which Permit applications
are received, considered, and determined. |
a.
A Waste Producer must maintain a
register, whether in electronic or paper format, in accordance with the
provisions of the Law.
b.
The register referred to in
paragraph (a) of this Article must contain the following information:
1. the
type of Waste (Hazardous Waste or Non-hazardous Waste);
2. the
quantity of the Waste handled daily;
3. a
description of the production, Segregation, Sorting, and Recycling processes;
and
4. details
of the approved Waste Carriers and Disposal Sites.
c.
For the purpose of implementing the
provisions of this Article, the following categories must maintain such a
register:
1. Hazardous
Waste producers;
2. any
Person having operational control over residential and commercial complexes,
and hotel and industrial Establishments; and
3. any
other category determined by a resolution issued by the CEO.
In
addition to his obligations under the Law, a Waste Producer from the categories
specified in paragraph (c) of Article (2) of this Resolution must transport the
Waste generated from an Establishment or a Building daily to the Disposal Sites
approved by the DM. This transportation may be carried out either by
contracting with a licensed Waste Carrier or by using the Waste Producer’s own
vehicle authorised for Waste transportation, provided that the vehicle meets all
the requirements and standards approved under this Resolution and the Technical
Manuals.
A Permit will be issued or renewed subject to
the following requirements:
2.
The applicant must comply with the
environmental and health requirements and standards specified in the applicable
legislation, including submitting an environmental impact assessment study
where required for the Waste-related Activity to be carried out.
3.
The applicant must meet the
standards, requirements, and technical specifications applicable to the
Waste-related Activity to be conducted, as prescribed in the Technical Manuals.
In
issuing or renewing a Permit, the following procedures apply:
1.
The applicant will submit the Permit
application to the Agency through the Unified Digital Window, based on the type
of Waste-related Activity to be conducted.
2.
The Agency will register the
application and notify the applicant accordingly.
3.
The Agency will consider the
application from a technical perspective to verify that it meets all relevant
conditions and requirements for issuing the Permit.
4.
The Agency will issue its decision
on the application for obtaining or renewing the Permit within the timeframe
specified for each activity in the approved Technical Manuals.
5.
Where the application is rejected,
the Agency will notify the applicant of the reasons for rejection.
6.
Where the Permit issuance or renewal
application is approved, the Agency will require the applicant to pay the
relevant prescribed fees.
a.
A Permit will be valid for a period
of one (1) year, renewable for the same period. A renewal application must be
submitted no later than thirty (30) days from the date of its expiry, and the
prescribed fees must be paid.
b.
Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph (a) of this Article, the Agency may, upon the request of the Permit
applicant and in accordance with the Technical Manuals, issue a Permit with a
validity period of less than one (1) year for certain activities and
businesses.
An
approval for a volunteer campaign to clean Public Places will be issued subject
to the following requirements:
1.
The approval of the CDA for
implementing the volunteer campaign must be obtained in accordance with the
above-mentioned Law No. (5) of 2018.
2.
The approval of the entity overseeing
the site or area where the volunteer campaign will be conducted must be
obtained.
3.
The applicant for approval must
submit a written undertaking to comply with the legislation in force in the
Emirate, including environmental and health standards and requirements, as well
as public safety requirements, and to avoid causing any damage or pollution
during the implementation of the volunteer campaign.
4.
A detailed plan outlining the
implementation of the volunteer campaign must be submitted. This plan must contain
the following information:
a.
the purpose of the volunteer
campaign;
b.
the area targeted for implementing
the volunteer campaign;
c.
the expected number of participants
in the volunteer campaign;
d.
the equipment and materials to be
used in carrying out the volunteer campaign;
e.
the methods for Waste collection and
transportation; and
f.
the proposed timeline for the
volunteer campaign.
5.
The clothing or logos bearing the
name of the volunteer campaign must be customised, with the approval of the
CDA, to ensure the participants are easily identifiable.
In
issuing approval for a volunteer campaign to clean Public Places, the following
procedures will be followed:
1.
The approval application will be
submitted to the Agency, together with the required supporting documents,
through the channels and on the forms prescribed by the Agency for this
purpose.
2.
The Agency will register the
application and notify the applicant accordingly.
3.
The Agency will consider the
application to verify that it meets all the conditions and requirements
prescribed for the issuance of the approval.
4.
The Agency will, within ten (10)
working days from the date of notifying the applicant of the registration of
his application, determine the application once all the relevant conditions and
documents prescribed for the issuance of the approval have been met and
submitted. The applicant will be notified of the approval via email.
5.
Where the application is rejected,
the Agency will notify the applicant of the reasons for rejection.
Waste Containers designated for
Hazardous Waste must meet the following specifications:
1.
Exterior Specifications:
a.
The
Waste
Container must be fitted with a leak-proof and tightly sealed cover.
b.
The Waste Container must be
colour-coded depending on the type of Waste it is designated for, in accordance
with the relevant standards approved by the Agency.
2.
Interior Specifications:
a. The
Waste Container must be resistant to chemicals and corrosive or toxic liquids.
b. The
Waste Container must be constructed of materials that are resistant to
corrosion and leakage to prevent adverse reactions with Hazardous Waste.
c. The
Waste Container must have thick, sturdy walls.
3.
Security and Safety Requirements:
a. The
Waste Container design must conform to the standards adopted in the UAE and
must be appropriate for the type of Waste it is intended to hold.
b. The
material from which the Waste Container is made must be capable of preventing
reactions with the hazardous materials contained therein.
c. The
Waste Container must be resistant to prevailing weather conditions and capable
of withstanding high temperature variations.
4.
The Waste Container must meet any
other technical specifications specified in the Technical Manuals.
A
Waste Label must include the following information:
1.
the type of Hazardous Waste;
2.
the components and composition of
the Hazardous Waste;
3.
applicable warning codes;
4.
instructions for Disposal of
Hazardous Waste; and
5.
any other information or
instructions specified in the Technical Manuals.
Vehicles
designated for the collection and transportation of solid and liquid Waste must
comply with the requirements, standards, and technical specifications
prescribed in the Technical Manuals.
a.
Without prejudice to the planning
and construction conditions and requirements prescribed by legislation
applicable to the DM, the Agency will authorise a Person to establish, manage,
and operate Disposal Sites subject to fulfilment of the requirements and
specifications set out in paragraph (b) of this Article.
b.
In addition to the requirements and
specifications set out in the Technical Manuals, the following requirements and
specifications must be met for a Permit to be issued to establish, manage, and
operate the Disposal Site:
I. Requirements for Selecting Waste Disposal Sites:
1.
The minimum distances between a
Disposal Site and surrounding areas and facilities, as specified in the
Technical Manuals, must be complied with.
2.
A paved and safe access road
connecting the proposed Disposal Site to public roads must be provided to enable
heavy Waste transportation vehicles to access that site.
3.
Controlled entry and exit points must be
provided to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow from and to the proposed
Disposal Site.
4.
Approval from the competent entity
supervising the area where the proposed Disposal Site is located must be
obtained to ensure that it conforms with the approved urban plan for that area.
5.
Geological and hydrogeological
studies must be submitted to ensure soil stability and suitability for
establishing an infrastructure designed to prevent the leakage of pollutants.
6.
Evidence must be provided that the
proposed Disposal Site is not prone to landslide or ground fissure hazards.
II. Environmental and Health Requirements:
1.
An
environmental impact assessment study for the proposed Disposal Site must be
submitted, containing a clear plan of the preventive measures to be taken to
protect the Environment, reduce odour emissions, and the mechanisms for managing
environmental emergencies. Furthermore, an environmental authorisation from the
DECCA must be obtained in accordance with its applicable legislation and
guidelines, while adhering to all environmental requirements specified by the
DECCA in this regard.
2.
Personal protective equipment must
be provided to all workers at the Disposal Site to ensure their safety while
handling Waste.
3.
Secure and controlled isolation
areas for Hazardous Waste, equipped with appropriate safety systems to reduce
environmental risks, must be designated.
4.
Dedicated facilities for receiving
and Sorting Waste before landfilling or Treatment must be provided.
5.
Waste Treatment facilities must be
established within the Disposal Site using environmentally friendly
technologies approved by the Agency.
6.
Rainwater drainage systems must be
installed to prevent the accumulation or mixing of rainwater with Waste, in
order to preserve the safety of the Disposal Site and the surrounding
Environment.
III. Operational and
Administrative Requirements:
1.
A detailed operational plan must be
submitted specifying the procedures for Waste Collection, Segregation,
Treatment, and landfilling, including the preventive measures to be taken to
protect the Environment and deal with environmental emergencies.
2.
Working hours must be determined and
necessary measures must be implemented to minimise noise and emissions.
3.
A camera surveillance system must be
installed to secure the Disposal Site and monitor the operations taking place
therein, in accordance with the relevant specifications approved by the
Security Industry Regulatory Agency in the Emirate.
4.
Clear warning signage must be placed
at the entrances to the Disposal Site and in the Waste storage areas.
5.
An electronic system must be
maintained to record all Waste Disposal operations, and the relevant reports
must be submitted to the Agency periodically.
6.
A periodic training plan for workers
at the Disposal Site on safety procedures and Waste Management practices must
be prepared.
a.
The minimum percentages for the use
of recycled materials, and the projects and activities in which recycled
materials must be used, will be determined by a resolution issued by the
Director General. In determining these percentages, the following must be taken
into consideration:
1.
the availability of recycled
materials in local markets, and the capacity of those markets to meet the needs
of the projects in which those materials must be used, in a timely manner and
at the relevant stages of implementation;
2.
the quality of materials, and their conformity
with the approved technical specifications and standards;
3.
the feasibility of transporting
materials from their production sites to project sites at reasonable cost; and
4.
the variation in the required
percentages according to the type of project or the nature of the recycled
materials.
b.
The Agency will review the specified
percentages for the use of recycled materials annually, or where necessary,
based on the periodic reports issued by the Agency, or by the concerned
Government Entities or private sector entities.
c.
In the event of a substantial
shortage of recycled materials or an unjustified increase in their cost, the
Director General may grant a partial or full exemption from the obligation to
adhere to the specified percentages for the use of recycled materials, provided
that the exemption is justified and temporary until the grounds for the
exemption no longer exist.
Materials
resulting from Waste Treatment and Recycling processes that are intended for
use must meet the requirements and technical specifications prescribed in the
Technical Manuals.
a.
The following Technical Manuals are
hereby approved:
1.
Technical Manuals for Waste
Management Activities;
2.
Technical Manuals for Waste
Producers;
3.
Technical Manuals for the Use of
Recycled Materials Resulting from Waste Treatment; and
4.
any other Technical Manuals that may
become required in the implementation of the provisions of the Law and this
Resolution.
b.
The Technical Manuals, including the
technical requirements, conditions, and standards set out therein, as well as
any subsequent updates or amendments thereto, will be published on the DM’s
official website.
c.
The CEO is hereby vested with the
authority to review, update, and amend the Technical Manuals periodically, and
to publish them on the DM’s official website.
All
Persons to whom this Resolution applies must comply with its provisions within
a period of six (6) months from its effective date. The CEO may, where
necessary, extend this period once for the same period.
The
CEO will issue the instructions required for the implementation of this
Resolution. These instructions will be published on the DM’s official website.
The
above-mentioned Administrative Resolution No. (1316) of 1997 is hereby
repealed. Any provision in any other administrative resolution is also hereby
repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.
This
Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force
thirty (30) days after the day on which it is published.
Marwan Ahmed bin
Ghalita
Director
General
Dubai Municipality
Issued in Dubai on 10 February 2026
Corresponding to 22 Shaban 1447 A.H.
©2026 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the
Emirate of Dubai
[1]Every effort has been made to produce an
accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the
purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the
original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.