Construction and Demolition Waste in the UAE: Numbers, Challenges, and Opportunities
Introduction: When Demolition Waste Becomes a Strategic Resource
Few countries build – and rebuild – as fast as the United Arab Emirates. New towers replace old blocks, entire districts are reimagined, and infrastructure is constantly upgraded. Every time a structure is modified, stripped out, or demolished, a huge stream of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is generated.
Studies and policy papers consistently show that construction and demolition waste represents roughly 70–75% of the total solid waste generated in the UAE by weight. Dubai alone produces around 5,000 tonnes of C&D waste every day, which is also about 70% of the emirate’s total daily solid waste.
These are not just big numbers. They are directly tied to:
- The UAE’s circular economy ambitions.
- Federal and local waste management laws and diversion targets (e.g., 75% recycling/diversion).
- Dubai’s integrated waste management strategy and its shift away from landfills.
In other words, how we demolish buildings in the UAE has become a strategic environmental and economic issue.
This long-form guide explores the current state of construction and demolition waste in the UAE, with a focus on:
- The numbers and scale of the problem.
- The regulatory framework, from federal law to Dubai-specific legislation.
- The practical challenges on real project sites.
- The opportunities for recycling, circular economy, and cost savings.
- The role of modern, engineered demolition contractors like Stone Beam Demolition in Dubai and the UAE.
If you are a developer, consultant, contractor, or asset owner in the UAE, and you’re serious about both compliance and reputation, understanding C&D waste is no longer optional – it’s part of your core project strategy.
1. Why Construction and Demolition Waste Matters in the UAE
1.1 A building boom that never really slows down
The UAE is constantly reshaping its urban fabric:
- Low-rise buildings make way for high-rise towers.
- Old villas and warehouses are cleared for new mixed-use developments.
- Roads are widened, metro lines extended, and bridges upgraded.
Every demolition, strip-out, or heavy modification generates large volumes of concrete, block, steel, asphalt, timber, gypsum, and mixed waste.
Because of this construction-driven economy, C&D waste dominates the national waste profile. Estimates consistently show that:
- 70–75% of the total solid waste in the UAE comes from construction and demolition activities.
This makes construction and demolition waste one of the single biggest waste streams the country must manage.
1.2 National and emirate-level diversion targets
Waste management in the UAE is being reshaped by ambitious diversion and recycling targets:
- Federal legislation and national strategies aim to recycle or divert up to 75% of municipal solid waste from landfills.
- Dubai’s Integrated Waste Management Master Plan and broader sustainability strategies target almost complete diversion from landfill by 2034, supported by large-scale recycling and waste-to-energy infrastructure.
Given how dominant C&D waste is, these targets cannot be reached without a radical shift in how demolition projects are planned and executed.
1.3 From waste burden to circular economy opportunity
The UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031 specifically identifies construction and demolition waste as a priority area within “sustainable infrastructure” and “green development”.
The policy calls for:
- Better design for disassembly and reuse.
- Programmes to support reuse and recycling of building materials.
- Business models that turn waste into feedstock (e.g., recycled aggregates, low-carbon materials).
So, C&D waste in the UAE is no longer just a logistics and compliance problem. It’s also a strategic opportunity:
- To reduce material costs.
- To lower the embodied carbon of new developments.
- To differentiate projects and brands through ESG performance.
2. The Numbers: How Much C&D Waste Does the UAE Generate?
2.1 C&D waste as 70–75% of national solid waste
Multiple independent studies, industry reports, and circular economy documents converge on the same range:
- Around 70–75% of the UAE’s solid waste by weight is construction and demolition waste.
This is exceptionally high compared to many other countries, and it reflects:
- The scale of construction and urbanisation.
- The rapid replacement of older assets with newer, higher-value developments.
2.2 Dubai: 5,000 tonnes of C&D waste per day
Dubai is one of the busiest construction markets in the world, and that shows in its waste figures:
- Estimates indicate that Dubai alone generates roughly 5,000 tonnes of C&D waste every day.
- This represents about 70% of the emirate’s total daily solid waste.
These numbers fluctuate with market cycles, but the trend is clear: demolition and construction sites are the main source of physical waste in Dubai.
2.3 Abu Dhabi and Tadweer’s C&D recycling capacity
Abu Dhabi has been a regional pioneer in C&D waste recycling through Tadweer Group:
- Tadweer’s main C&D waste recycling facility near Hameem Road has a capacity of about 8,000 tonnes per day.
- Since its launch, it has produced over 13 million tonnes of recycled aggregate, used heavily in road and infrastructure projects.
This proves that industrial-scale recycling of demolition rubble is both technically viable and commercially useful in the UAE.
2.4 Other emirates
In other emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, etc.), C&D waste streams are also significant, and local authorities are:
- Encouraging private recycling facilities.
- Increasingly integrating recycled aggregates into public works contracts.
The country as a whole is moving from “dump and forget” towards “recover, recycle, and reuse”.
3. The Regulatory Framework Shaping C&D Waste in the UAE
3.1 Federal Law on Waste Management (Law No. 12 of 2018)
At federal level, Law No. 12 of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management is the backbone of waste regulation in the UAE.
The law aims to:
- Regulate waste management and unify mechanisms for safe disposal.
- Apply best available practices and technologies.
- Protect the environment and minimise harm to human health.
While it covers all waste streams, its principles apply directly to construction and demolition waste:
- Separation and classification of waste at source.
- Preference for recycling and recovery over landfilling.
- Clear roles and responsibilities for generators, transporters, and treatment facilities.
3.2 National recycling targets: 75% diversion
Complementing the law, federal policy and parliamentary discussions have pushed for:
- Recycling of 75% of municipal solid waste across the UAE, through an integrated waste management plan.
Given that C&D waste is the dominant stream, this target implicitly demands major improvements in how demolition projects handle waste.
3.3 UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031
The UAE Circular Economy Policy is a national-level framework that explicitly calls out construction and demolition waste:
- C&D waste is singled out as a key challenge under sustainable infrastructure and green development.
- The policy encourages:
- Reuse and recycling of building materials.
- Better design for reuse and disassembly.
For developers, consultants, and demolition contractors, this means that expectations are rising: demolition is no longer just about safe structural removal; it’s about resource recovery.
3.4 Dubai Law No. 18 of 2024 on Regulating Waste Management
In Dubai, things have moved quickly and decisively. Law No. 18 of 2024 Regulating Waste Management in the Emirate of Dubai:
- Sets out a comprehensive framework for managing all waste streams in the emirate.
- Emphasises waste minimisation, recycling, and private sector investment in the waste sector.
- Replaces older local orders while keeping existing technical guidelines in force until updated.
Under this law and associated guidelines, companies involved in any aspect of waste management – including generating C&D waste – must:
- Segregate waste properly.
- Work with licensed transporters and treatment/recycling facilities.
- Maintain proper documentation and records.For a demolition contractor in Dubai, this isn’t optional; it’s part of core compliance.
3.5 Integrated Waste Management and landfill diversion in Dubai
Dubai’s integrated waste strategy adds further pressure – and opportunity:
- The city aims to drastically reduce and ultimately eliminate landfill use, relying instead on recycling, recovery, and waste-to-energy.
- Recent policy documents and waste management systems emphasise mandatory source segregation and recycling targets aligned with the 75% diversion goal.
In practice, many developers and contractors are now expected to demonstrate C&D waste diversion performance as part of project reporting and ESG disclosures.
3.6 Tadweer and emirate-level authorities
In Abu Dhabi and other emirates, local authorities such as Tadweer Group oversee:
- Approval and licensing of C&D waste recycling facilities.
- Implementation of emirate-level recycling and diversion targets.
The direction is consistent across the country: C&D waste must be managed as a valuable stream, not just a disposal problem.
4. Real-World Challenges on UAE Demolition Sites
The laws and targets are ambitious. On the ground, however, there are still many practical obstacles that developers, consultants, and demolition contractors face.
4.1 Sheer volume vs. limited time and space
Demolition projects in the UAE – especially in dense urban areas like:
- Dubai Marina
- Business Bay
- Deira and Bur Dubai
- Central Abu Dhabi
often deal with:
- High volumes of rubble generated in a short time.
- Very limited site space for sorting and stockpiling materials.
- Strict working hours and truck movement windows imposed by local authorities.
Without planning, this can push contractors to adopt “fast and dirty” approaches, mixing everything together and sending it off as general waste – undermining recycling efforts.
4.2 Inadequate segregation at source
Many traditional demolition jobs still work like this:
- Break everything with heavy machines.
- Load mixed rubble into trucks or containers.
- Dump it at a landfill or generic disposal site.
This lack of segregation at source is one of the biggest barriers to high recycling rates:
- Recyclers prefer “clean” concrete rubble with minimal contamination.
- Mixed waste is harder and more expensive to process.
- Valuable metals, timber, and other materials are often lost in the mix.
4.3 Limited integration in early design and tender stages
Waste management is sometimes treated as an afterthought:
- Demolition scope is defined in broad terms with little detail on waste segregation or recycling.
- Tender documents may not specify C&D waste targets or reporting requirements.
- No space is reserved on-site for sorting and temporary storage.
As a result, even a conscientious demolition contractor may struggle to deliver good waste outcomes if the project was not designed with C&D waste in mind.
4.4 Logistical and access constraints
Demolition in live, built-up environments introduces:
- Narrow access roads and loading areas.
- Restrictions on truck routes and timings.
- Neighbours who are highly sensitive to noise, dust, vibration, and traffic.
All of this makes it more complex to:
- Place multiple containers for segregated streams.
- Coordinate frequent collections to avoid overflowing materials.
- Optimise truck loads and routes to recycling facilities.
4.5 Behaviour, awareness, and enforcement
Finally, there is a human factor:
- Some project teams still see C&D waste management as “extra paperwork” rather than a core performance metric.
- There may be insufficient awareness of available recycling facilities and their cost benefits.
- Illicit dumping or corner-cutting can still occur if supervision and enforcement are weak.
The good news: laws are tightening, authorities are paying more attention, and clients in the UAE increasingly care about ESG and circularity – which is exactly where modern demolition specialists can add value.
5. From Rubble to Resource: The Opportunity in C&D Waste
Despite these challenges, construction and demolition waste in the UAE is also a huge opportunity.
5.1 Recycled aggregates: turning concrete into new infrastructure
As shown by Tadweer’s facility in Abu Dhabi, concrete rubble can be:
- Crushed and processed into different aggregate sizes.
- Contaminants (wood, plastics, metals) removed.
- Sold as recycled aggregate for:
- Road base and sub-base layers.
- Pipe bedding and backfilling.
- Certain non-structural concrete and landscaping uses.
For public works and infrastructure projects, governments increasingly encourage or mandate use of recycled aggregates where technically feasible – turning C&D waste into a reliable local resource.
5.2 Cost savings and risk reduction for developers
Recycling C&D waste effectively can:
- Reduce landfill tipping fees and associated logistics costs.
- Lower the need for virgin aggregates, especially when projects are located far from quarries.
- Reduce the risk of non-compliance fines or reputational damage due to poor waste practices.
In an environment where margins are tight and ESG scrutiny is rising, this becomes a tangible business advantage.
5.3 Supporting net-zero and ESG commitments
Developers, real estate funds, and large asset owners increasingly report:
- Embodied carbon of their projects.
- Waste diversion and recycling rates.
- Performance against ESG benchmarks.
Working with a demolition contractor in Dubai who can document C&D waste flows, recycling percentages, and material recovery helps these stakeholders demonstrate real progress on:
- Climate targets.
- Circular economy commitments.
- Sustainable finance requirements.
5.4 New business models for the UAE’s demolition and recycling sector
As regulations and market expectations evolve, we are seeing:
- Investment in new C&D recycling plants and material recovery facilities.
- Digital platforms linking demolition sites with recyclers.
- Innovative uses for recycled materials in roads, concrete, and landscaping.
This is opening up additional revenue streams for companies that manage C&D waste well – and pushing demolition towards a more engineering and data-driven discipline.
6. Why Demolition Methodology is the Key to Better Waste Outcomes
The central insight is simple:
The way you demolish a structure largely determines how well you can recycle its waste.
6.1 “Smash and dump” vs. engineered demolition
Traditional approaches often rely on:
- Heavy excavators with breakers, working in a relatively uncontrolled sequence.
- Limited separation of materials.
- Rushed loading of mixed rubble into trucks.
Engineered demolition, by contrast, starts with:
- A structural assessment and method statement.
- A pre-demolition audit that identifies material types and quantities.
- A clear plan for selective demolition and segregation.
This is where modern demolition contractors like Stone Beam Demolition differentiate themselves.
6.2 Techniques that support waste minimisation and recycling
6.2.1 Selective demolition and strip-out
Before attacking the concrete shell, selective demolition removes:
- MEP systems and heavy equipment.
- Doors, windows, metal frames, aluminium façades.
- Ceiling systems, drywall partitions, raised floors, etc.
These materials can be:
- Reused, repurposed, or sold.
- Recycled as metal, aluminium, or timber.
Most importantly, they don’t contaminate the concrete rubble, improving the quality of material sent for crushing.
6.2.2 Diamond wire cutting and concrete sawing
In dense urban areas or sensitive structures, Stone Beam and similar specialists use:
- Diamond wire saws to cut beams, columns, or slabs into manageable blocks.
- Track saws and wall saws for precision cuts.
Advantages:
- Lower vibration and noise compared to heavy breaking.
- More control over the size and shape of removed elements.
- Cleaner concrete blocks that can be crushed to produce higher-quality recycled aggregate.
6.2.3 Hydrodemolition
Hydrodemolition uses high-pressure water jets to remove concrete without damaging reinforcement:
- Ideal for bridge decks, industrial structures, or partial repairs.
- Produces a granular concrete waste stream that can be screened and processed.
- Keeps rebar largely intact, which can then be recycled separately as scrap metal.
6.2.4 GPR scanning and service detection
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and other non-destructive tools help:
- Locate hidden services (power, water, telecoms, fuel) before cutting or breaking.
- Prevent accidental damage that could cause leaks, spills, or extra waste.
By avoiding unwanted damage to adjacent structures or utilities, good scanning and planning minimises waste generated by mistakes.
6.2.5 Robotic demolition and high-reach excavators
Robotic demolition and high-reach machines offer:
- Precise, remote-controlled removal of structural elements.
- Safer work in confined or hazardous areas.
- Better control over how rubble falls and accumulates, which supports cleaner segregation.
All of these techniques are core parts of Stone Beam Demolition’s service offering in Dubai and across the UAE.
7. Stone Beam Demolition’s Approach to C&D Waste in the UAE
Stone Beam Demolition positions itself as a modern, engineered demolition contractor in Dubai and the wider UAE, with a strong focus on:
- Structural safety.
- Regulatory compliance.
- Advanced demolition methods.
- C&D waste minimisation and resource recovery.
7.1 A four-stage C&D waste management process
Stone Beam integrates waste management into every demolition project through four stages:
Stage 1 – Pre-demolition survey and material audit
- Detailed site visit to assess the structure, materials, and constraints.
- Identification of all major material categories:
- Concrete & masonry.
- Structural steel & rebar.
- Aluminium, façade systems, glazing.
- MEP components and plant.
- Finishes (gypsum, tiles, timber, carpets).
- Estimation of approximate tonnages and recyclability of each stream.
This informs both the demolition method and the waste management plan.
Stage 2 – Integrated demolition and waste management plan
Stone Beam prepares a plan that addresses:
- Demolition sequence (from top-down or inside-out, depending on the structure).
- Required equipment (robots, high-reach excavators, wire saws, hydrodemolition units, etc.).
- Segregation strategy – where and how different waste streams will be separated.
- Logistics – truck routes, loading zones, timing constraints, and coordination with Dubai Municipality or other authorities.
The plan is designed to align with:
- Dubai Law No. 18 of 2024 and related waste management regulations.
- Any project-specific ESG or sustainability targets.
Stage 3 – Execution with advanced demolition technologies
During execution, Stone Beam:
- Uses GPR scanning to protect underground or embedded services.
- Applies selective demolition where required to remove high-value or sensitive components.
- Deploys robotic demolition or hydrodemolition for complex or live environments.
- Maintains separate collection zones or containers for:
- Clean concrete rubble.
- Metals and rebar.
- Mixed waste and non-recyclables.
This allows a high proportion of rubble to be sent to licensed C&D recycling facilities in the UAE.
Stage 4 – Documentation and reporting
For developers and consultants who need evidence and data, Stone Beam provides:
- Records of waste types, quantities (where weighbridge data is available), and destination facilities.
- Summary of recycling and diversion rates achieved vs. targets.
- Supporting documentation (e.g., tipping receipts from recycling and disposal sites).
This documentation is increasingly valuable for ESG reporting, certifications, and lender requirements.
8. Case-Style Scenarios: Stone Beam in Action
8.1 Case 1 – Demolishing a mid-rise residential block in a tight Dubai neighbourhood
Project brief:
Demolish an ageing G+6 residential building in a dense inner-city Dubai neighbourhood to make way for a new mixed-use tower.
Challenges:
- Limited site area for equipment and waste containers.
- Narrow access roads and sensitive neighbours.
- Client wants to achieve high recycling levels and avoid complaints.
Stone Beam’s approach:
- Pre-demolition audit identifies:
- Significant volumes of concrete, masonry, and rebar.
- Reusable aluminium windows and balcony railings.
- Mixed interior finishes and MEP installations.
- Selective strip-out phase:
- Removal of doors, windows, aluminium, and MEP equipment before structural demolition.
- Metals and aluminium segregated for sale/recycling.
- Structural demolition:
- Use of a high-reach excavator to safely bring down the superstructure from top to bottom.
- Controlled drop zones to keep rubble within designated areas.
- On-site segregation:
- Dedicated containers for clean concrete rubble.
- Separate bins for metal scrap and mixed waste.
- Recycling and documentation:
- Concrete rubble sent to a licensed C&D recycler for crushing into recycled aggregate.
- Metals sold to approved scrap yards.
- Final report summarising quantities and recycling percentages.
Outcome:
- High proportion of the building’s mass diverted away from landfill.
- Minimal neighbourhood disruption thanks to methodical sequencing and noise/dust control.
- Client receives documentation supporting its sustainability and ESG narrative.
8.2 Case 2 – Partial removal of a bridge deck over a live roadway
Project brief:
Remove a section of an existing concrete bridge to accommodate a new road alignment near a busy intersection.
Challenges:
- Live traffic beneath the bridge.
- Limited nighttime windows for heavy work.
- Zero tolerance for uncontrolled debris or structural instability.
Stone Beam’s approach:
- GPR scanning to locate tendons, rebar, and embedded services.
- Diamond wire cutting to segment the bridge deck into liftable blocks.
- Controlled lifting using cranes to place segments onto a safe working platform.
- Secondary breaking and on-platform segregation of concrete and rebar.
- Transport of concrete blocks to a recycling facility; rebar sent to metal recyclers.
Outcome:
- Safe removal of the bridge section without major traffic disruption.
- Clean material streams well-suited for recycling.
- Strong compliance with authority requirements for safety and environmental performance.
8.3 Case 3 – Interior structural modifications inside an operating mall
Project brief:
Partially remove and modify internal slabs and beams in an operating shopping mall to create double-height spaces for new anchor tenants.
Challenges:
- Mall remains open to the public.
- Strict requirements on noise, vibration, dust, and working hours.
- Need to protect adjacent tenants and building systems.
Stone Beam’s approach:
- Use robotic demolition for controlled breaking in restricted areas.
- Deploy hydrodemolition for precise removal of concrete around existing rebar, minimising vibration transmission.
- Implement containment and dust-control systems to prevent nuisance to the rest of the mall.
- Carefully manage waste flows through back-of-house routes during off-peak hours.
- Segregate concrete, steel, and mixed waste for recycling and disposal.
Outcome:
- Minimal impact on mall operations and tenant experience.
- Efficient segregation and removal of C&D waste from a challenging live environment.
- Enhanced reputation for both the mall operator and the project team.
9. A Practical C&D Waste Management Roadmap for UAE Developers & Consultants
If you are planning a demolition or major refurbishment project in the UAE, here is a practical roadmap to manage construction and demolition waste effectively – ideally in partnership with a specialist like Stone Beam Demolition.
9.1 Step 1 – Integrate C&D waste into early project planning
At concept and tender stage:
- Include C&D waste management requirements explicitly in consultant and contractor scopes.
- Set target diversion rates (for example, “minimum 60–80% of C&D waste by weight to be reused or recycled, where feasible”).
- Require tenderers to submit:
- A preliminary demolition and waste management methodology.
- Proposed recycling and disposal facilities they will use.
- A plan for data and reporting.
This ensures that waste management is priced and resourced – not left as an afterthought.
9.2 Step 2 – Pre-demolition surveys and permits
Before works begin:
- Commission a pre-demolition survey (often carried out by the demolition contractor) to:
- Identify hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos in older structures, lead paint, etc.).
- Clarify material types and potential for reuse or recycling.
- Coordinate with authorities (e.g., Dubai Municipality) to:
- Obtain necessary demolition permits and waste transport approvals.
- Understand any specific requirements related to Law No. 18 of 2024 and related technical guidelines.
9.3 Step 3 – Design the site logistics for segregation
With space at a premium, site logistics are crucial:
- Allocate dedicated areas or containers for:
- Clean concrete and masonry rubble.
- Metals and rebar.
- Timber, gypsum, and packaging.
- General mixed waste (to be minimised).
- Plan truck movements and loading schedules in line with:
- Traffic regulations and RTA requirements.
- Neighbourhood noise and access constraints.
Working closely with a demolition contractor in Dubai who understands these constraints is vital for success.
9.4 Step 4 – Execute with disciplined separation and tracking
During demolition:
- Monitor that crew members respect segregation rules – no “quick fixes” that mix valuable streams.
- Track waste movements with:
- Load tickets and weighbridge slips from recycling facilities.
- Records of containers, dates, and materials.
- Hold brief toolbox talks and coordination meetings to keep waste goals visible and top-of-mind for the team.
Even in challenging conditions, disciplined execution can significantly improve recycling performance.
9.5 Step 5 – Close-out reporting and lessons learned
After demolition:
- Request a C&D waste report from the demolition contractor summarising:
- Total quantities by material type (where available).
- Destinations (recycling facilities, landfills, waste-to-energy, etc.).
- Calculated diversion rate.
- Use this information to:
- Feed into ESG and sustainability reports.
- Improve future project specifications and targets.
- Communicate positive environmental impact to investors, lenders, and the market.
Over time, this creates a valuable data history that can help calibrate future estimates and strategies.
10. The Future of Construction and Demolition Waste in the UAE
10.1 From “waste management” to “resource management”
As circular economy policy and waste regulations tighten, the UAE is moving towards a mindset where:
- Construction and demolition waste is treated as a resource stream.
- Recycled aggregates and other recovered materials are normal components in infrastructure and building products.
This will only accelerate as:
- More C&D recycling facilities come online
- Public procurement increasingly prefers or requires recycled content.
- Landfill and disposal options become more restricted or expensive.
10.2 Data and digital tracking
Expect to see:
- Digital waste tracking platforms linking demolition contractors, transporters, and recyclers.
- Near real-time reporting dashboards to satisfy both regulators and corporate ESG teams.
- Integration of waste data with BIM models and digital twins, showing not just what a building is made of, but what will happen to it at end-of-life.
Demolition contractors that invest early in data and digital workflows will be better positioned to support these requirements.
10.3 Zero-waste-to-landfill ambitions
Dubai’s long-term waste management strategies and circular economy commitments point towards:
- Drastically reduced reliance on landfills.
- A combination of high recycling rates and advanced energy recovery.
For the construction sector, this means:
- Increasing pressure on demolition and main contractors to avoid sending mixed C&D waste to landfill.
- More robust enforcement of segregation and facility usage rules.
10.4 Stone Beam Demolition’s role in this transition
In this landscape, Stone Beam Demolition is not just a demolition contractor; it is:
- A partner for engineered, low-impact demolition.
- A provider of specialised services – selective demolition, GPR scanning, robotic demolition, hydrodemolition, diamond wire cutting.
- An enabler of high-quality C&D waste segregation and recycling, helping projects align with the UAE’s circular economy policy and Dubai’s waste management law.
For developers and consultants who want to be ahead of the regulatory curve and differentiated in ESG performance, working with a contractor like Stone Beam is a strategic choice.
FAQ: Construction and Demolition Waste in the UAE
1. What is construction and demolition (C&D) waste?
C&D waste includes all materials generated when buildings, roads, bridges, or other structures are constructed, renovated, or demolished, such as:
- Concrete and masonry.
- Steel and rebar.
- Bricks, blocks, and tiles.
- Timber, gypsum, and plastics.
- Glass, aluminium, and other finishes.
2. How much of the UAE’s waste is construction and demolition waste?
Available studies and circular economy documents indicate that around 70–75% of the UAE’s solid waste by weight comes from construction and demolition activities.
3. How much C&D waste does Dubai generate?
Industry reports suggest that Dubai generates roughly 5,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste per day, representing around 70% of its total solid waste.
4. What laws regulate C&D waste in the UAE?
Key laws and policies include:
- Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, which sets out national waste management objectives and principles.
- The UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021–2031, which highlights construction and demolition waste under sustainable infrastructure.
- In Dubai, Law No. 18 of 2024 Regulating Waste Management, which strengthens requirements for waste segregation, recycling, and private sector participation.
5. Are there C&D recycling facilities in the UAE?
Yes. A notable example is Tadweer’s C&D waste recycling facility in Abu Dhabi, which can process around 8,000 tonnes per day and has produced millions of tonnes of recycled aggregates used in infrastructure projects.
Dubai and other emirates also work with licensed private C&D recyclers.
6. What can recycled C&D materials be used for?
Recycled aggregates from C&D waste can be used for:
- Road base and sub-base layers.
- Backfilling and pipe bedding.
- Certain non-structural concrete elements, depending on specifications.
Metals, aluminium, and some plastics can also be recovered and reintroduced into manufacturing chains.
7. How can a demolition contractor in Dubai improve C&D waste performance?
A modern demolition contractor like Stone Beam Demolition can:
- Conduct pre-demolition audits to identify recoverable materials.
- Use advanced techniques (selective demolition, diamond wire cutting, robotic demolition, hydrodemolition) to minimise damage and contamination.
- Implement on-site segregation of rubble, metals, and mixed waste.
- Work exclusively with licensed recycling and disposal facilities.
- Provide data and reports on waste quantities and destinations.
8. Is it mandatory to segregate C&D waste in Dubai?
Dubai’s waste management framework, including Law No. 18 of 2024 and implementation guidelines, requires:
- Source segregation of waste streams.
- Compliance with recycling and diversion requirements linked to the emirate’s integrated waste management plan.
In practice, large projects are increasingly expected to demonstrate structured C&D waste management.
9. What should developers and consultants include in tenders related to demolition?
Best practice is to include:
- A requirement for a demolition and C&D waste management plan.
- Target diversion rates (e.g., minimum 60–80% by weight, where feasible).
- Obligations to work with licensed recyclers and maintain data.
- A requirement for final C&D waste reporting at project close-out.
10. How can I engage Stone Beam Demolition for my UAE project?
You can contact Stone Beam Demolition through their website, sbdemolition.ae, to:
- Arrange a site visit and consultation.
- Request a technical and commercial proposal that includes a tailored demolition methodology and C&D waste management plan.
- Discuss how to align your project with UAE circular economy and waste management targets.
شركة هدم في دبي: الدليل الشامل للهدم الآمن والاحترافي في الإمارات
Demolition Company Dubai: The Complete, UAE-Ready Guide to Safe, Professional Demolition
دليل للهدم في دبي والإمارات- Bilingual Ultimate Guide to Demolition in Dubai & UAE