Dubai Municipality and Dubai Holding form strategic partnership to advance integrated waste management in Dubai
Dubai Municipality has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dubai Holding, a global investment company with operations in more than 30 countries, to strengthen joint efforts in environmental sustainability and support the goals of the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021–2041 and the Dubai Urban Plan 2040. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to establishing Dubai as a global model for sustainable, circular cities.
The agreement was signed during the Asia-Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum 2025, hosted in Dubai, and follows the Municipality’s announcement of Circle Dubai — a new city-wide initiative to reduce waste generation at source, promote reuse and recycling, and advance the circular economy. The partnership aligns with both parties’ strategic objectives and sets out a framework for institutional collaboration, data sharing, and source segregation practices across Dubai’s residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors.
His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, stated: “This agreement is a strategic step that supports the implementation of our pioneering Circle Dubai initiative, launched as part of our commitment to reducing waste at the source, diverting it from landfills, and increasing recycling and treatment rates. Our goal is to achieve zero waste and maintain Dubai’s global leadership as the cleanest city in the world for five consecutive years.”
He added: “At Dubai Municipality, we prioritise integration and collaboration with strategic partners who share our vision of sustainability. Our cooperation with Dubai Holding will enable the adoption of best practices in waste management and recycling, aligned with the pillars of the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021–2041. These efforts will contribute to the UAE’s broader sustainable development goals and further enhance quality of life in the emirate.”
Khalid Al Malik, Managing Director of Dubai Holding, said: “Our partnership with Dubai Municipality underscores our collective commitment to advancing Dubai’s waste reduction goals and supporting the Emirate’s transition towards a circular economy. Through this collaboration, we are strengthening the responsible waste management and sustainable practices already embedded across our assets and communities — creating long-term environmental and societal value. At Dubai Holding, we continue to integrate sustainability across our operations and developments, ensuring our assets contribute effectively to the city’s environmental goals and to shaping a cleaner, more resilient Dubai.”
Scope of cooperation
The agreement outlines several key areas of cooperation to divert waste from landfills through treatment solutions, awareness campaigns, and incentives. It includes the joint implementation of community initiatives to reduce waste generation and promote source segregation at every stage of the waste cycle.
Dubai Municipality will oversee and support the rollout of pilot waste reduction projects across Dubai Holding’s developments, including destinations such as Global Village. The Municipality will coordinate with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, support data monitoring and reporting, and provide technical guidance on compliance, segregation, and facility use.
Dubai Holding, in turn, will organise awareness campaigns and community engagement initiatives across its properties to foster responsible waste practices and encourage behavioural change. The company will also contribute to the Municipality’s Waste Reduction Plan, with a focus on phasing out single-use plastics and raising awareness of source segregation among waste generators in residential, commercial, and institutional settings.
To encourage composting practices, Dubai Holding will install and operate composting units in selected commercial establishments, enabling the conversion of organic waste into fertiliser. In addition, the company will ensure that all waste from its properties is transferred exclusively to Dubai Municipality-approved facilities, including the Material Recovery Facility, the Warsan Waste-to-Energy Centre, and engineered landfills for residual waste.
Circle Dubai: a sustainable step forward
Dubai Municipality recently launched Circle Dubai, a comprehensive programme aimed at embedding source segregation practices across the emirate, reducing reliance on landfills, and promoting a reuse-first culture. The initiative is designed to support Dubai’s transition to a circular economy, improve urban environmental health, and reinforce its position as a leading smart and sustainable city.