Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has unveiled a major plan to develop the waste sector in the Kingdom.
Under this initiative, the Saudi ministry aims to take its recycling target to hit 95 percent and add approximately $32 billion (SAR120 billion) to the GDP.
Further, this move intends to create job opportunities for more than 100,000 Saudi men and women. All of these goals are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the Saudi ministry noted.
According to the statement, “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.”
Furthermore, this annual report emphasizes the environmental system’s commitment in the Kingdom to achieving sustainable development goals through well-thought-out plans and strategies across all its sectors.
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 $14 billion (SAR55 billion) investment in the sector.
According to the report, the current recycling rate in the Kingdom’s waste management sector ranges from 3 percent to 4 percent, the lowest globally. The ministry’s objective is to boost this rate to 95 percent, 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, as per the statement.
