Table of Contents
Topic Summary
What the Wholesale Waste and Scrap License Covers
This license lets you buy and sell waste, scrap, and recyclable goods in bulk, including metal and non-metal scrap, paper, plastics, and rubber. It is designed for traders who move materials along the recycling supply chain rather than processing them directly.
Why the UAE Recycling Market Is Growing Fast
The UAE scrap metal recycling market is projected to grow at around 7.4 per cent a year through 2032, supported by the country's net-zero 2050 target and circular-economy policies. The broader Middle East and Africa metal recycling market was already worth approximately USD 700 million in 2024.
Who Should Consider This Business Activity
The license suits firms that buy and sell waste or scrap in bulk, as well as businesses that supply recyclers with raw feedstock materials. One license can cover multiple waste streams, making it efficient for traders operating across different recyclable categories.
Key Exclusions You Must Know Before Applying
The license does not cover recycling or processing waste into new products yourself, as that is classified as a manufacturing activity. Specific waste streams such as metal scrap, aircraft scrap, or used cooking oil each have their own separate licensed activities.
Post-License Registration With Dubai Municipality
Although no third-party approval is needed before the Meydan Free Zone license is issued, businesses must register with Dubai Municipality after receiving the license. This registration must be kept active for as long as the business operates.
Meydan Free Zone Makes Setup Straightforward
Meydan Free Zone issues the business license without requiring pre-approval from external authorities, streamlining the setup process. The activity is also not subject to Anti-Money Laundering compliance requirements, reducing the regulatory burden for new traders.
How to Start a Wholesale of Waste and Scrap and Other Products Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
This activity is the business of trading waste, scrap and other recyclable goods in bulk. You collect or buy waste materials and sell them on to be reused or recycled. In the UAE, this trade is growing fast, driven by clean-energy and circular-economy goals.
The push is clear. The UAE scrap metal recycling market alone is set to grow by about 7.4 per cent a year through 2032. 1 Across the Middle East and Africa, the metal recycling market was worth around USD 700 million in 2024. 2 The UAE aims for net zero by 2050, which keeps demand for recycled materials rising.
For traders, this means a broad and growing market. A Meydan Free Zone business license lets you trade waste and scrap in bulk. It needs post-license registration with Dubai Municipality, as shown below.
Why the Recycling Trade Grows
- Net-zero goals: The UAE aims for net zero by 2050.
- Circular economy: Waste is turned into new materials.
- Many streams: Metal, paper, plastic and more can be traded.
- Steady supply: Cities and factories produce waste every day.
- Cost saving: Recycled inputs cost less than new ones.
The UAE's Growing Recycling Trade
The UAE is pushing hard on recycling and the circular economy. Here are the key markers.
Sources: 6Wresearch; Market Research Future
Who Is This Activity For?
4669.00 – Wholesale of Waste and Scrap and Other Products
Activity 4669.00 is the broad wholesale of waste, scrap and other products not covered elsewhere. This class covers waste and materials for recycling, including metal and non-metal scrap, paper, plastics, rubber and more. It means buying these materials in bulk and selling them on to be reused.
The license covers the broad waste and scrap trade. More specific waste streams, such as metal scrap, aircraft scrap or used cooking oil, have their own activities. It also does not cover recycling or processing the waste yourself. Those limits are shown in the exclusions below.
It helps to be clear on what this license does not cover. It does not cover recycling or processing the waste into new products yourself, which is a factory activity. Specific waste streams, such as metal scrap, aircraft scrap or used cooking oil, are traded under their own activities. It also does not cover general municipal waste collection services.
In short: if you are trading waste, scrap and recyclable goods in bulk, you are in. If you are recycling the waste yourself, or trading a stream that has its own activity, those are separate activities.
Compliance
THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL
This activity does not require third-party approval before a business license can be issued by Meydan Free Zone. However, this activity requires post-license registration with Dubai Municipality (DM). DM registration must be completed after the business license is issued and maintained for the duration of operating activity.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
This business activity is not subject to AML compliance requirements.
References
1 6Wresearch. UAE Scrap Metal Recycling Market expected to grow at about 7.4 per cent CAGR through 2032.
2 Market Research Future. Middle East and Africa metal recycling market valued at around USD 700 million in 2024.
