Saudi Arabia Advances in Sustainable Waste Management

The National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) disclosed its future plans to revolutionize waste management in Saudi Arabia. Announced at the IFAT trade fair in Munich, MWAN aims to increase recycling rates substantially and divert 90% of waste from landfills by 2040. This transformative initiative includes constructing over 840 waste treatment and recovery facilities and achieving a recycling target of 79%.

This strategic move is influenced by the increasing urbanization and industrialization, which are elevating waste production rates in key cities. The plan also involves regional clustering of waste management solutions tailored to specific needs. MWAN has outlined a national strategic vision that divides the country into 25 clusters, focusing on detailed development plans for each, ensuring tailored solutions that address local challenges effectively.

The major goals of MWAN include reducing per capita waste generation by 3% and enhancing recycling endeavors to reduce dependency on landfills significantly. Advanced technologies will be utilized for waste-to-energy conversion and other recycling methods. This strategy not only aims to handle waste more efficiently but also targets a reduction in annual CO2 emissions by 177% from the baseline levels.