Abu Dhabi to develop first dedicated facility for recycling municipal solid waste

Abu Dhabi announces an initiative aimed at enhancing its waste management infrastructure. Tadweer Group’s greenfield Material Recovery Facility (MRF) will be located within the Al Mafraq industrial area.

Expected to be one of the largest MRFs in the region, the facility boasts a projected annual capacity of 1.3 million metric tonnes. It will cover an expansive area exceeding 90,000 square meters.

The primary objective of the MRF is to recover recyclable materials from municipal solid waste, including metals, plastics and other resources. By maximizing waste diversion through recycling and preparing feedstock for the Abu Dhabi Waste to Energy facility, the initiative aims to reduce the volume of waste destined for landfills significantly. This aligns with Tadweer Group's ambitious target of diverting 80% of Abu Dhabi's waste from landfills by 2030, thus promoting a circular economy.

The MRF is integral to Tadweer Group's circular cluster, a network of facilities dedicated to minimizing waste generation and ensuring sustainable resource management. Long-term objectives include providing feedstock for various waste conversion processes, including producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Ali Al Dhaheri, managing director and CEO of Tadweer Group, emphasized the strategic significance of the initiative.

He said, "This aligns with our strategic vision to harness technology to extend the lifetime of recyclable materials for a sustainable future."

The development of the facility is expected to attract both local and foreign private sector investment, offering employment and training opportunities for UAE nationals. The bidding process for the facility's development will be conducted through a closed tender process, with contract awarding and construction works scheduled to commence by the end of 2024. Operations commissioning is targeted for the end of 2026.