Littering in Dubai? Municipality launches new app to instantly report violators

Dubai: In a move to reinforce its status as the world’s cleanest city, Dubai has launched a new app, ‘Eltizam’, to instantly report people breaking public cleanliness rules, from littering and spitting to illegal barbecuing and pet fouling.

The app launched by Dubai Municipality empowers selected officials with judicial authority to report violations on the spot, using real-time photo evidence and location tracking.

The app’s rollout is part of the implementation of Dubai Law No. (19) of 2024, which regulates judicial officer status to authorised personnel and aims to ensure compliance, legal clarity, and enhanced community participation in public cleanliness enforcement

Through Eltizam, these officials can take photos of cleanliness breaches, automatically tag the location, add notes, and immediately register the violation for follow-up.

The app, in its first phase, targets eight key cleanliness violations that Dubai Municipality considers damaging to the city’s appearance. These include:

Spitting in public areas

Improper disposal of chewing gum

Littering in public spaces

Dumping organic or general waste into the sea, beaches, or ports

Draining vehicle wash water in unauthorised areas

Lighting fires or barbecuing in undesignated places

Posting flyers or ads that deface public areas

Not cleaning up after pets in public spaces

Each of these violations can now be swiftly reported and penalised via Eltizam, reinforcing Dubai’s image as a city that values cleanliness not only as a regulation, but also as a shared civic duty.

The initiative is part of Dubai Municipality’s digital transformation push and its efforts to involve the community in protecting the city’s environment and aesthetics.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “The launch of ‘Eltizam’ is a key step in Dubai Municipality’s mission to enhance the city’s cleanliness, sustainability, and quality of life. By empowering authorised officials with judicial enforcement tools, we are fostering a culture of responsibility and social engagement. This app reflects our vision of a pioneering city where technology and regulation work together to protect Dubai’s urban appeal and elevate its position as the most beautiful and cleanest city in the world.”

He added: “Public cleanliness is not a technical issue alone — it is a civic value and a shared commitment. ‘Eltizam’ reinforces that every official and every citizen plays a role in shaping a sustainable, liveable Dubai for generations to come.”

Beyond its regulatory function, the civic body said ‘Eltizam’ also reinforces Dubai’s leadership in adopting modern, community-led tools that encourage environmental stewardship and elevate the overall quality of life across the Emirate.