The Kingdom has changed the concept of waste from an economic cost to an investment wealth, after setting targets to build a sector whose expected investments exceed SAR 750 billion. It did not stop at achieving the expected ceiling of investment volume, but the Kingdom succeeded in contributing SAR 650 billion to the local GDP, supported by about 500 investment opportunities and 900 infrastructure projects. This transformation represents one of the most prominent bets of the circular economy, and establishes a new national industry that supports economic diversification and sustainability, as waste in the Kingdom turns into one of the largest drivers of the new economy.

"Al-Riyadh" monitored the targets of the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), which confirm that the Kingdom is moving towards building an integrated national industry that leads the circular economy, opening broad horizons for investment and sustainable growth within the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, enhancing environmental sustainability, raising the efficiency of resource utilization, and transforming waste into added economic value.

Enhancing Investment

On the regulatory front, the legislative and regulatory environment for the sector has been developed, with about 1,100 licenses issued by MWAN, while the number of accredited entities exceeded 1,300, in addition to more than 180 valid permits. This reflects the sector's growth and rising compliance levels, and enhances investor confidence in the Saudi market. This system also contributes to raising service quality, improving performance efficiency, and applying best global practices, cementing the Kingdom's position as a regional center for the recycling industry and circular economy.

Economic experts stressed that the waste management sector is one of the strategic sectors supporting the Vision's targets, due to its role in diversifying income sources, stimulating investment, enhancing the green economy, reducing environmental impact, and transforming waste from an environmental challenge into a sustainable economic resource that contributes to raising GDP, improving quality of life, and supporting the Kingdom's competitiveness regionally and globally. Businessman Mohammed Al-Hammad said: "The waste management sector is no longer viewed as a municipal service, but has become an integrated economic industry that contributes to diversifying national income sources and supports the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 in building a sustainable circular economy," adding, "The size of targeted investments reflects the Kingdom's confidence in this sector, due to its ability to attract capital, create quality job opportunities, localize modern technologies, and transform waste into economically valuable products."

He continued: "Investment in recycling and waste-to-energy achieves both economic and environmental returns simultaneously, as it reduces waste, lowers waste disposal costs, preserves natural resources, and enhances the efficiency of raw material use," noting that the Kingdom possesses the regulatory and investment capabilities that qualify it to become a leading regional center for recycling industries and circular economy in the coming years.

Qualitative Transformation

Economic expert Faleh Al-Melihi said: "The waste management sector in the Kingdom is witnessing a qualitative transformation that makes it one of the most promising economic sectors, after moving from the concept of waste disposal to building an integrated industry based on the circular economy," explaining that the Kingdom produces about 107 million tons of waste annually, while the cost of transporting it to landfills is about SAR 6.5 billion annually, highlighting the size of the economic opportunity in maximizing the use of these resources instead of disposing of them.

He added: "The announced targets, which include investments exceeding SAR 750 billion, an expected economic contribution of SAR 650 billion to GDP, along with more than 500 investment opportunities, represent a strategic transformation that will enhance the sector's contribution to the national economy and attract local and global investments." He continued: "The National Waste Management Strategy has set ambitious targets including the establishment of 848 major facilities, reducing waste by about 37 million metric tons, providing 76,000 jobs, in addition to achieving a 90% diversion of waste away from landfills by 2040," stressing that these indicators reflect a clear vision to transform waste into a sustainable economic resource that supports development and preserves the environment at the same time." He pointed out that the Kingdom has made significant progress in building the regulatory environment for the sector through the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), which launched an integrated system of controls and technical guides, along with the role played by specialized private sector companies in leading investments and developing recycling projects, noting that targeting an increase in the recycling rate to 81%, contributing more than SAR 650 billion to GDP, attracting SAR 6 billion in foreign investments, and creating 23,000 jobs by 2030, reflects the scale of ambition driving this sector.

He emphasized that the next phase should focus on increasing source sorting rates, noting that the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies in sorting centers, Internet of Things applications for smart container management, and expansion in waste-to-energy projects will contribute to raising the sector's efficiency, reducing operating costs, and improving the quality of recycled materials, making the Kingdom more competitive in global markets. He added: "The Kingdom's hosting of the first edition of IFAT Saudi Arabia 2026, with the participation of more than 450 exhibitors from 35 countries and the display of more than 3,500 technologies and solutions in waste management, recycling, water treatment, and energy recovery, confirms the Kingdom's growing status as a regional center for the circular economy industry," noting that the integration of legislation, investments, and modern technologies, along with raising societal awareness, will make achieving the targets of Vision 2030 and 2040 in this sector realistic, and transform waste from an environmental burden into an economic resource that creates value, jobs, and sustainability."

Businessman Hussein Al-Muallim said: "The waste economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, and it is no longer associated only with environmental aspects, but has become a strategic industry that creates high economic value, contributes to diversifying income sources, and provides sustainable investment and job opportunities."

He added: "Investment in recycling and converting waste into value-added products, such as raw materials, energy, and alternative fuel, opens broad horizons for the private sector, raises resource utilization efficiency, reduces dependence on raw materials, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy and achieving sustainable financial returns," noting that the mega projects being implemented by the Kingdom, along with industrial and urban expansion, will increase demand for waste management solutions and recycling technologies, making the sector one of the most attractive for investment in the coming years, especially with the presence of an advanced regulatory environment led by the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN).

Hussein Al-Muallim

Mohammed Al-Hammad