In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, Dubai Municipality has announced plans to close all landfills in the emirate by 2027—three years earlier than previously scheduled, according to reports. 

Marwan bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, outlined the municipality’s latest initiatives aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure, public services, and quality of life for residents. He emphasized that sustainable development and innovation are central to Dubai’s urban planning strategy, particularly in the areas of waste management and environmental protection.

Adel Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency, provided key updates on Dubai’s efforts to eliminate landfill waste. He confirmed that all active landfill sites will be closed by 2027, in alignment with the city's ambitious target of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030—a goal that is now being fast-tracked.

At the heart of this strategy is the world’s largest waste-to-energy facility located in Warsan. Operational since July 2023, the facility processes approximately two million tonnes of waste annually, generating up to 220 megawatts of renewable energy every hour. This equates to around 5,280 megawatts daily—enough to power more than 135,000 homes.

Developed through a public-private partnership, the facility includes contributions from Dubai Holding, ITOCHU Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Inova, and the BESIX Group.

“Our goal is not only to eliminate landfills but to set a benchmark for sustainable waste management in the region,” said Al Marzouqi.

Dubai’s shift toward zero waste began over a decade ago. In 2013, the city introduced the region’s first landfill gas recovery system at Al Qusais, which was later enhanced to convert methane gas into electricity—another first for the Middle East.

These initiatives support the broader Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce energy consumption by 30% and promote environmental responsibility across all sectors.

In addition to waste management, Dubai Municipality is also prioritizing digital transformation, housing, food safety, and AI-driven public services. A Dh4 billion investment announced last year by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable growth and innovation.

With its accelerated landfill closure timeline and pioneering waste-to-energy efforts, Dubai is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable urban development. Compiled from reports