Environmental survey on household waste in Abu Dhabi

17 February, 2025

To understand residents’ behaviors and identify areas for improvement The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), in collaboration with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, launched the first large-scale survey on household waste in Abu Dhabi, as part of a research project aimed at developing effective strategies to reduce this type of waste in the emirate, which contributes to enhancing environmental sustainability. The survey, which was published by EAD on its digital platforms, included a number of questions, through which it monitored the extent to which community members are prepared to separate waste at the source, deal with household waste properly, and adopt environmental behaviors while shopping, which reduces the rate of depletion of the environment during shopping.

The survey, prepared by the “EAD”, aims to gather insights on waste management practices and behaviors of residents in Abu Dhabi, understand current habits, and identify areas that can be improved to promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment. The survey addressed various aspects related to household waste, including waste separation, recycling habits, and public awareness about waste management.

The survey will contribute to shaping future waste management policies and initiatives in Abu Dhabi. The research will focus on exploring and implementing methods to change relevant behavioral patterns, which are specifically designed to suit the unique socio-cultural fabric of Abu Dhabi, which is home to more than 200 nationalities. The research project covers all sectors of the population in the emirate, and researchers at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining fields including sociology, psychology and waste management, to develop effective and impactful solutions.

The research collaboration between EAD and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi aims to learn more about the extent to which Abu Dhabi’s diverse community perceives and processes household waste. The research project aims to enhance the understanding and guidance of partners, including retailers, consumers, households and waste management companies, on reducing household waste at the source. Solutions
It will also contribute to implementing behavioral change programs, encouraging residents to be responsible, especially when it comes to dealing with household waste, especially since by exploring the social and cultural aspects of household waste in Abu Dhabi, solutions will be developed that not only reduce the environmental impact, but are also compatible with the diverse communities in the emirate.