Environment Ministry: A Plan to Develop Waste Sector in the Kingdom to Support GDP by more than SAR120 Billion

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture unveiled a plan to develop the waste sector in the Kingdom. It calls for recycling to reach up to 95%, which adds approximately SAR120 billion to the GDP, as well as recycling up to 100 million tonnes annually to achieve sustainability, in addition to creating job opportunities for more than 100,000 Saudi men and women. All of these goals are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

This information comes from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture’s 2023 annual report, highlighting the Saudi environmental system’s dedication to sustainable development goals. The report outlines comprehensive plans and strategies, notably the National Environment Strategy. This strategy incorporates a transparent institutional framework with 65 initiatives, backed by a SAR55 billion investment in the sector.

According to the report, the current recycling rate in the Kingdom’s waste management sector ranges from 3% to 4%, the lowest globally. The ministry’s objective is to boost this rate to 95%, recognizing the existence of hazardous industrial waste, including medical waste. The disposal of such waste is guided by scientific principles to safeguard citizens and address potential risks that might not be immediately evident.