Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Recycling Plan Aims for Global Leadership
In a bid to address environmental concerns and drive economic growth, Saudi Arabia has unveiled an ambitious plan to recycle up to 95% of its waste. This initiative is expected to contribute SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to the GDP and create over 100,000 jobs for Saudi nationals.
The plan includes recycling approximately 100 million tonnes of waste annually, aligning with the country’s broader sustainable development goals. This effort is part of the National Environment Strategy, which aims to divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040.
Julien Vermersch, a partner at Bain and Co. Middle East, highlighted that while recycling is crucial, it won’t be the only method. Some waste, such as hazardous materials, may require incineration with heat recovery, also known as waste-to-energy.
Saudi Arabia faces challenges like rapid urbanization and landfill saturation. Effective waste management, including leachate control and methane emissions reduction, is critical. The Kingdom’s landfill diversion goal is comparable to advanced European and Asian countries, but achieving this by 2040 is ambitious and requires significant investment and public engagement.
Yves Takchi, principal at Arthur D. Little, emphasized the importance of a multi-faceted approach, including waste-to-energy, to complement recycling. He noted that the Kingdom is well-positioned to adopt advanced waste management practices, given its ongoing transformation under Vision 2030.
Two key entities support this initiative: the Saudi Investment Recycling Co. (SIRC) and the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN). SIRC focuses on sector investments, while MWAN regulates and implements waste management laws and initiatives.
Strong government support is vital for this transformation. Vermersch pointed out the high costs associated with transitioning from landfilling to recycling and waste-to-energy. Effective waste sorting systems, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement are essential for success.
Takchi concluded that government direction and strategy are crucial for aligning efforts, unlocking private investment, and deploying necessary infrastructure and services.