UAE PLASTIC RECYCLING MARKET

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Size & Insights

UAE Plastic Recycling Market size is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2025 and 2032 owing to the rising consciousness about environmental issues and the growing government green initiatives alongside participation from non-profit organizations and private sectors to adopting sustainable approaches.

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Drivers

Government Initiatives

One of the major causes of environmental degradation in UAE is plastic waste, the kingdom produces 1.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste in the form of bottles, bags containers etc. and only 4% of the total waste gets recycled as per a study conducted by Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemical Association. Recognizing the impacts of high plastic consumption and waste generation, the government has introduced multiple positive initiatives such as enforcing a sustainability fee for single use plastic bags, allocating funds for the development of recycling facilities, and educating the public through diverse campaigns and eco-awareness initiatives.

The UAE is also poised to emerge as a leading global recycling center with systematic initiatives in place to reach this objective, by spearheading the development of a framework addressing single use plastic and enforced a prohibition on plastic items that are not biodegradable. Acknowledging the necessity for innovative solutions, the government has actively fostered the establishment of the Plastic Recycling Exchange as a groundbreaking innovation set to make waves globally.

Due to investments and supportive regulatory frameworks, the UAE is moving towards becoming a center for plastic recycling by leveraging both China’s discontinuation of purchasing discarded plastics worldwide and the government’s commitment to numerous initiatives including the development of recycling technologies and the enhancement of infrastructure for managing waste. Supported by the country’s strategic location, modern infrastructure and dedication to promoting sustainability, global recycling firms are increasingly investing in the UAE, solidifying its leadership in the context of circular economy strategies.

Growing Concern about Plastic Waste Management

Major cities across the country have also initiated programs to support sustainable approaches, with the establishment of the Centre for Waste Management in Abu Dhabi aims to centralize and manage all aspects of sustainable waste practices, while Sharjah is committed to reaching its goal of completely diverting all waste from landfills. Meanwhile, Dubai Municipality has introduced an ambitious program to retrieve and recycle three million units of plastic packaging across the country while promote community accountability in environmental efforts, decrease plastic consumption, and encourage programs that effectively divert plastic waste from landfill or incineration.

The plastic recycling industry in the UAE has been experiencing rapid growth, as Abu Dhabi has designated a recycling facility capable of processing 12,000 tonnes of PET annually, in accordance with the country’s strategy to decrease plastic pollution and stimulate trade by exporting recycled material. The facility spans 40,000 sqm and has the capacity to support one hundred jobs and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by eighteen thousand metric tonnes once it reaches full operational capacity.

Participation from Non-profit Organizations and Private Sectors to Adopt Sustainable Approaches

Growth of the UAE plastic recycling market is attributed to increasing participation from numerous organizations and private sectors, which both local and international organizations work closely with the authorities across the seven Emirates to mitigate, reduce, collect, and transform plastic waste into various products. RECAPP is widely recognized as a leading recycling company in the UAE as it provides a convenient door-to-door waste collection service for businesses and residents seeking affordable and proper disposal of plastic waste. Another example is Rebound Plastic Exchange which facilitates a trusted and efficient marketplace for sellers and buyers to trade plastic, enhancing the scalability and efficiency of plastic recycling.

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Major Players & Competitive Landscape

Several leading companies operating in the market are Veolia, Farz (Imdaad LLC), DGrade, Interpolymer etc.

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Scope of the Report

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Research Report Segmentation

The UAE Plastic Recycling Market has been segmented on the basis of material type and application. Based on material type, the market is segmented into polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and others. Based on application, the market is segmented into packaging, building & construction, textile, automotive, and others.

UAE Plastic Recycling Market by Material Type

• • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polystyrene (PS)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polyethylene
  • Others

UAE Plastic Recycling Market by Application

• • Packaging
  • Building & Construction
  • Textile
  • Automotive
  • Others

UAE Plastic Recycling Market Leading players

• • Veolia
  • Farz (Imdaad LLC)
  • DGrade
  • Interpolymer