Saudi Arabia aims to recycle 95% of waste.

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia has revealed a plan to develop the waste sector in the kingdom, which includes achieving up to 95% recycling, contributing around 120 billion riyals (approximately 32 billion dollars) to the GDP, as well as achieving sustainability through recycling up to 100 million tons annually. Additionally, it aims to create over 100,000 job opportunities in line with the goals of Vision 2030 in the kingdom.

The ministry emphasized the efforts of the environmental system in the kingdom to achieve sustainable development goals through well-planned plans and strategies in all sectors, including the national environmental strategy which includes a clear institutional framework containing more than 65 initiatives in the sector, investing more than 55 billion riyals, according to a report published on the Saudi Press Agency.

The report indicated that the current rate of recycling in the waste management sector in Saudi Arabia does not exceed 3 to 4 percent, while the ministry’s plan aims to achieve a recycling rate of up to 95 percent, including the proper handling of hazardous industrial waste such as medical waste based on scientific knowledge.

The ministry’s system was able to preserve over 90,000 hectares and plant more than 50 million trees, accompanied by an increase in the level of societal awareness. Efforts in environmental control contributed to improving the quality of life.

Furthermore, the report confirmed that the dust storms recorded by the Dust Storm Center in the Kingdom were the least, accounting for only 10 percent. This is attributed to the presence of reserves, increased rainfall, the adoption of cloud seeding program, and the preservation of over 99 thousand hectares of land, as well as the planting of approximately 50 million trees in all regions of the Kingdom.