The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announced on Friday a new phase of collaboration under the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Strategy, bringing together field clean-up work and systematic data analysis to sharpen how the emirate tackles waste across land, coast, and sea.
For Abu Dhabi residents, the initiative signals a shift in how environmental clean-ups are run. Rather than one-off clean-up days, the two entities are building a repeatable model that pairs physical clean-up operations with structured data collection, so that decisions about where and how to act are grounded in evidence rather than guesswork.
What has been done so far
Four clean-up campaigns have already been carried out at selected sites. Beyond these, EAD and DMT are planning two specialized marine operations this year, alongside continued land-based and coastal clean-up efforts.
Delivering this work depends on a set of strategic partners. Tadweer Group handles waste collection, sorting, and transport to treatment facilities and disposal sites. The Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club carries out the marine operations to specialized professional standards, and diving associations are also involved as partners in the effort.
How the data is collected
At the centre of the initiative is the Sahim: Citizen Science program, which is used to gather and analyze data on the types and quantities of waste found during clean-up operations. The methodology involves classifying waste, weighing it, and documenting findings within a structured field database.
That field data is then analyzed to identify which types of waste are most prevalent across terrestrial and marine environments, allowing EAD and DMT to understand patterns rather than just clear sites and move on.
A shift toward evidence-based waste management
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of the Information, Science and Environmental Awareness Sector of EAD, said: "This collaboration with DMT reflects a strategic shift in the way waste is managed, as we work to link field operations with systematic scientific analysis through the Sahim: Citizen Science program. Collecting precise data on waste types and quantities enables us to better understand waste patterns, identify potential sources through the Sahim application, and develop evidence-based solutions that support the emirate's sustainability objectives."
He added: "This also allows us to continuously measure impact and refine policies and procedures based on real-world findings, improving long-term efficiency and ensuring resources are channeled towards priority areas."
Rashed Abdullah Al Kaabi, Acting Executive Director of the Technical Operations Support Sector at DMT, described the initiative as "a model of integrated institutional cooperation in support of Abu Dhabi's environmental objectives." He said: "Together with EAD and our strategic stakeholders, we are delivering structured clean-up initiatives that combine field operations with data collection and analysis, contributing to more precise and sustainable waste management solutions across land, marine and coastal sites."