The UAE generates a significant volume of e-waste annually, with estimates ranging between 6,000 and 10,000 tons per year. With another estimate, suggesting the per capita volume is 16.5k. Unofficial statement points out this could be six times higher, given UAE’s thriving sector dedicated to refurbishing and reselling used electrical and electronic devices. Thanks to the availability of relatively newer electronics with strong secondary market value, devices that cannot be refurbished are dismantled to recover spare parts and valuable components. This figure is expected to grow as technology consumption increases.  

The country boasts a mix of formal recycling centers, including Enviroserve’s state-of-the-art facility, which processes up to 39,000 tons of e-waste annually. "E-waste in the UAE is managed through a combination of formal recycling facilities, government initiatives, and retail buy-back programs," said Shashidhar Y.S., Managing Director of Enviroserve. 

Commenting on the evolving nature of the materials extracted from e-scrap, Harbinder Singh, Circular Economy & Recycling Industry Investor, pointed out “Over the past decade, the composition of e-scrap has evolved significantly. The proportion of hazardous materials has declined considerably due to stricter consumer safety regulations and environmental policies.”  Additionally, advancements in manufacturing have led to greater material efficiency, reducing the overall amount of raw materials used in electronics. “For example, compared to the bulky mobile phones of the 1990s, modern smartphones contain significantly less gold and other precious metals. Similarly, mercury-based lightbulbs have largely been replaced by energy-efficient LED alternatives,” he explained. 

“On the positive side,” he added, “the percentage of recyclable materials in electronics has increased, enhancing their overall extractive value.” End-of-life electronics are processed through a combination of dedicated recycling and metal scrap recovery facilities, all operating under varying degrees of local regulatory compliance. 

However, certain categories of electronics require more careful handling, he noted. These include refrigerators, which contain foam insulation and refrigerants that must be safely removed; air conditioning units, which also require proper refrigerant extraction; and X-ray equipment, which poses additional challenges due to its specialized components. “Ensuring the safe and effective recycling of these items remains a priority.”

Speaking of the challenges, Shashidhar noted that many individuals and businesses are still unaware of the environmental impact of improper e-waste disposal. “A considerable amount of e-scrap still ends up in landfills or is handled by the informal sector, often without proper safety measures, resulting in environmental and health risks.” While formal recycling centers exist, many areas still lack convenient and easily accessible drop-off points. Although regulations are in place, stronger enforcement and monitoring are necessary to curb illegal dumping and encourage responsible recycling practices, he pointed out. 

A key aspect of future regulation is the potential expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), he noted. “While EPR frameworks are gaining traction globally, their implementation in the UAE is still in the pilot stage. Once fully enforced, EPR will require manufacturers and importers to take more responsibility for their products lifecycles, including take-back schemes, sustainable design, and recycling partnerships.” 

"EPR is useful in promoting additional collection of e-waste tonnage through awareness campaigns and collection points," remarked Singh, adding, "It can also subsidize gate fees for companies collecting e-waste or provide financial support to keep recycling facilities operational."

Singh drew our attention to the challenge related to the availability of e-scrap for recycling. He attributed it to the strong secondary market for refurbished and resold electronics in the UAE. “Given the high quality and relatively new condition of many devices, a significant portion is diverted from recycling. To secure sufficient volumes of end-of-life electronics, recyclers often resort to purchasing discarded devices, making material extraction a more structured and competitive process.”

Investment opportunities 

According to Shashidhar, the UAE’s growing emphasis on sustainability and circular economy principles presents significant investment opportunities, such as expansion of collection infrastructure, reverse logistics, and digital tracking solutions. “Opportunities exist in AI-based sorting, automated dismantling, and material recovery innovations. Businesses that refurbish electronics for resale or reuse can capitalize on a growing demand. Further, as regulations evolve, companies specializing in EPR compliance solutions will play a crucial role.” 

In the next 5 to 10 years, Singh noted that solar panel and battery recycling will emerge as areas of interest. “Lithium battery chemistry is relatively stable now, which makes investment decisions easier.”  

Refurbishment and reuse initiatives 

The refurbishment and reuse of electronics have long been established, forming a significant market with players ranging from small-scale operators to large enterprises. Several initiatives are encouraging the refurbishment and reuse of electronics. Some UAE municipalities and free zones promote refurbishing used electronics to extend product life. Several tech brands have buy-back or trade-in programs for refurbished electronics. Shashidhar: “Enviroserve works with partners to restore and resell electronics where feasible, helping reduce waste and supporting third-world countries by exporting the refurbished items to them.” 

“Social media platforms should play a key role in raising awareness about the availability and benefits of refurbished electronics. A more structured government awareness program highlighting not only the cost savings but also the environmental benefits of refurbished electronics could further accelerate market growth,” said Singh. 

"Everyone has a role to play in ensuring proper end-of-life electronics management," he emphasized. "For the government, it’s about awareness and financial support. For consumers, it's about making informed choices. For recyclers, it's about maintaining best practices."

The future of battery recycling in the UAE

According to Rajat Verma, Founder & CEO, Lohum, battery recycling is poised for significant advancements in the coming years. “With technological developments and traction on extended producer responsibility and closed-loop systems, the sector is set for growth.”

“Battery recycling technology can now recycle and refine critical minerals from batteries with purity levels of up to 99.9%. We foresee recycling becoming simpler, competitive, cost-effective, safer, and global, contributing to an environmentally and economically sustainable battery ecosystem,” Verma added.  

Through a Joint Development Framework Agreement with the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI), UAE, BEEAH and India-based Lohum are building UAE's first Integrated EV Battery Recycling Facility in Sharjah. 

Lohum employs NEETM® recycling technology and aims to support the UAE's environmental commitments by driving battery waste management. “The facility will annually recycle 3000 tons of Lithium-ion batteries, and repurpose 15MWh battery capacity into sustainable Energy Storage Systems (ESS) per annum. This is expected to account for more than 80% of UAE's current expected EV battery waste management needs.”

The biggest challenges in lithium-ion battery recycling, he said, include managing the growing volume of battery waste, ensuring safety due to flammable materials, addressing the lack of sufficient recycling infrastructure, and achieving economic viability. 

Additionally, achieving a low carbon footprint in recycling, developing standards, and developing chemical-agnostic processes that can handle a wide variety of materials, are also challenges that Lohum has succeeded in, he noted. 

Speaking about the role of stakeholders, Verma said, “Consumers play a vital role by returning used batteries to retailers, designated collection points, or OEMs committed to recycling. This ensures batteries enter the recycling stream rather than landfills.

Retailers, Outlets, and OEMs act as collection points where consumers can conveniently return used batteries. Many retailers and OEMs are actively encouraging this by inviting old batteries for recycling, he noted.