SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has introduced a plan to recycle 95% of the nation’s waste, aiming to contribute SR120 billion (US$31.99 billion) to the gross domestic product, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Termed the “Saudi Recycle 2024 Plan,” it delineates strategic steps to revamp the current waste management infrastructure, emphasizing heightened recycling, reduced landfill usage, and the promotion of sustainable practices among individuals and businesses.
The plan involves substantial investments in cutting-edge recycling technologies and the establishment of advanced processing facilities, facilitating the efficient recycling of diverse waste materials, ranging from household waste to industrial by-products.
Besides environmental benefits, the transition to a recycling-centric waste management system promises significant economic advantages.
By diminishing reliance on landfills, the plan aims to generate new employment opportunities in the recycling sector and nurture a circular economy, where waste is recognized as a valuable resource.
The Saudi Recycle 2024 Plan positions the Kingdom as a leader in environmental sustainability within the region, aligning with global endeavors to combat climate change and setting a precedent for other nations in waste management reform.
This initiative represents a visionary stride toward a greener and more sustainable future. Through the embrace of recycling and waste reduction, Saudi Arabia safeguards its environment and serves as a global exemplar in the ongoing battle against climate change.
The commitment to pioneering sustainable practices reaffirms the Kingdom’s role as a responsible global citizen.
In a related development in January, King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co. inked a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Investment Recycling Co., promoting waste management solutions.
The agreement was formalized at an event titled “Meeting National Targets for Waste Management and Recycling” in Riyadh, with Ziyad Al-Shiha, CEO of SIRC, and Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD DMC, endorsing the MoU.
Al-Shiha, speaking to Arab News during the event, highlighted SIRC’s robust recycling infrastructure, including collection centers and material recovery facilities equipped with advanced technologies for sorting, processing, and recycling different waste materials.
Emphasizing waste sorting and segregation at the source, he encouraged individuals, businesses, and communities to separate recyclable materials from general waste to maximize recycling rates and minimize landfill disposal.
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