GOAL 12: Responsible consumption and production

Campus Waste Management and Reduction Strategy

UAEU applies a comprehensive waste management approach designed to reduce landfill disposal and increase recycling across the campus. Working in collaboration with its facilities management company, the University follows a structured Waste Reduction Plan that promotes waste segregation at source, the use of designated recycling stations, and the responsible handling of general, organic, medical, and electronic waste. Regular waste audits, partnerships with certified waste contractors, and expanded recycling programs for paper, plastic, metal, and e-waste support the University’s commitment to sustainability. UAEU also implements campus-wide awareness initiatives targeting students, staff, and hostel residents while actively decreasing the use of single-use items and encouraging reusable alternatives. Enhanced collection systems, monitoring tools, and performance tracking further strengthen overall waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Sustainability Policy and Ethical Procurement

UAEU has adopted an institutional Sustainability Policy that embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into operational and procurement processes. This policy promotes sustainable purchasing practices that prioritize environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and ethically sourced products and services. It emphasizes full lifecycle considerations, including material sourcing, carbon footprint, and end-of-life waste management and expects suppliers to meet high environmental and labor standards. These requirements reinforce responsible supply-chain practices that align with UAEU’s long-term sustainability objectives.

Awareness Campaigns and Community Engagement

The College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine launched the “Food Waste Audit” awareness campaign in collaboration with the Office of the Associate Provost for Research, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer), and several local institutions. This initiative aims to promote a sustainable campus environment by identifying food waste, enhancing recycling efforts, and supporting environmentally friendly projects. The campaign also encourages student-led research competitions and programs focused on building awareness and promoting positive behavioral changes in food consumption and waste management.

Research Supporting Waste Management and Recycling

Advancing Circular Economy Solutions

UAEU supports a range of sustainability-oriented research projects that contribute to waste reduction, recycling technologies, and circular-economy practices. Examples include investigations into thermoplastic recycling and the development of intelligent waste-sorting systems using computer vision. These projects strengthen the University’s research contributions to national sustainability goals and global environmental challenges.

Valorization of Agricultural and Organic Waste

A notable research achievement includes the project led by Prof. Ali Al-Marzouqi, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, titled “Converting Palm Waste into High-Value Products: A Sustainable Way of Using Resources.” This project won the National Center for Palms and Dates International Prize 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the “Best Scientific Researcher” category. The study demonstrates UAEU’s leadership in transforming agricultural waste into valuable and sustainable products.

Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling Innovations

Innovators in Sustainability Challenge:
A team of UAEU students from the College of Science presented DPS4OiL, an innovative project that uses recycled materials to absorb oil spills. By converting agricultural and plastic waste into functional absorbent products, the project addresses environmental issues while promoting creative recycling solutions.
Recycling Plastic Bottles into New Materials:
A UAEU research team conducted a study on converting scrap plastic bottles into re-manufactured materials. This work supports waste reduction, enhances sustainable engineering practices, and contributes to circular-economy applications by turning discarded plastics into usable resources for scientific and operational purposes.