Waste management strategy and development in Ajman, UAE

Population growth, social and industrial activities have increased significantly, resulting in an increase in the quantities of wastes in UAE in specific the Emirate of Ajman. Most of the waste is still not thoroughly treated and ends up in municipal landfills, where organic waste generates many gases such as methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Currently, little of the waste is burned, and the rate of municipal waste recycling has been rapidly rising. Waste management in the Ajman is coordinated through local authorities. For this purpose the UAE has set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure its performance against its targets of 2021. To support the national efforts, Ajman is continuously seeking to adopt vital initiatives and projects that are positively affecting all aspects of life. Waste issues are handled through recycling and converting waste to energy and resources, new technologies and improved waste separation and collection systems. Ajman Municipality and Planning Department has initiated plans and efforts in waste management, including converting waste to energy, treating wastewater, and controlling the movement of hazardous waste. The programs are implemented with the aim to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of the city, including by paying particular attention to air quality and all types of waste. The paper presents an overview of the waste situation and the management practices according to the Municipality's plans and strategies. It is concluded that Ajman still lacks an infrastructure for organic waste recycling for residents. This organic waste is a significant contributor to methane emissions from landfills. Challenges are to be solved, such as the lack of adequate waste sorting and recycling facilities in the Emirate and weak community culture to adopt waste sorting. Many practices started to be implemented by the Municipality, for instance, creating an incinerator used to treat non-chemical medical waste generated from hospitals & clinics. As a result, Ajman has witnessed a reduction in the quantity of waste dumped in the landfill.