Abu Dhabi & Dubai, July 3, 2025 — In a landmark move to revolutionize how packaging waste is managed, the United Arab Emirates has launched the region’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) pilot, placing the onus of post-consumer waste squarely on manufacturers and brand owners.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) in partnership with Tadweer Group, the six-month pilot project aims to address the environmental impact of packaging, electronics, and batteries across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Central to the initiative is a robust commitment to curbing packaging waste—a globally pervasive issue—by embedding circularity into business operations and consumer engagement.
“Packaging waste is no longer a downstream issue; it’s a design and responsibility challenge,” said Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. “Through EPR, we are pioneering a system that redefines packaging as a resource to be reused, not just discarded.”
As Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), Tadweer Group will oversee the pilot’s rollout, working closely with 26 corporate signatories of the EPR Pledge. These companies—from retail giants and packaging manufacturers to recyclers and electronics firms—have committed to advancing responsible packaging practices, raising consumer awareness, and sharing vital data to benchmark progress.
“This is a watershed moment in how we manage packaging in the UAE,” stated Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO of Tadweer Group. “EPR ensures producers aren’t just part of the problem—they are core to the solution.”
Focus on Packaging
While the pilot also includes electrical and battery waste, packaging takes center stage. From fast-moving consumer goods to electronic product boxes, packaging waste makes up a significant share of municipal solid waste in the UAE. The pilot will introduce innovative waste segregation, collection, and recycling systems, with data-driven insights shaping future national policy.
Participating companies will allocate infrastructure for waste sorting and ensure all collected materials are processed in compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, they are responsible for consumer incentives, logistics planning, and transparent reporting mechanisms.
The MoU between MOCCAE and Tadweer also outlines strategic goals including improved regulatory readiness, community education, and the development of scalable frameworks to transition from pilot to national implementation.
The 26 Companies Supporting the EPR Vision
Signatories to the EPR Pledge include:
Bee’ah Group, Ecyclex, Emaar, Imdaad, Madenat Recycling, Samsung, CANPACK, Tetra Pak, Huhtamaki, Lulu, Dulsco, Sparklo, Dubai Holding, Dubatt, WAT, Nadeera, Tomra, Recyclium, German Distribution, CPA, EROS, SIG, Enviroserve, ECC, Carrefour, and Veolia.
These organizations represent a cross-section of the UAE’s business ecosystem—each taking measurable steps to align with the UAE’s Integrated Waste Management Agenda 2023–2026 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.