Policy framework
The new national strategy for the sustainable management of wastes within the principles of circular economy, reflected in the ambitious diversion and recycling targets (from landfills) to be achieved by 2035. A new Strategic Master Plan project that will kick off before the end of the year will further provide key long term guidance on the sustainable development of the sector with the aim to achieve the said targets.
Name:
National action plan for sustainable management of Marine Litter in the Red Sea coast of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Brief description:
The plan is part of a regional effort by the “The Regional Organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden”. A final draft of the action plan is currently undergoing final stages of approval before implementation. Key components include: Public awareness campaigns, engagement plans with key stakeholders, evaluation of enforcement mechanisms, adequacy of port reception facilities at the red sea, developing and monitoring flagship demonstration actions, engage private companies to phase out single use plastic bags, water bottles, straws, etc…plan for coastal land owners to regularly collect litter plastic from their area of operation, re-survey beaches with baseline data, support local marine research institutes to protect coastal marine environment from littering in addition to training and capacity building.
Legal framework
Name:
new draft “Waste Management Law”
Brief description:
The new draft law provides for key requirements for waste minimization, segregation and recycling. It also provides for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility principles and the strict regulation of waste activities across the value chain from point of generation to final treatment with key emphasis on circular economy principles. It also provides for stringent monitoring and penalties for violations including illegal dumping and burning of wastes.
Measures
Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation
The national center for waste management is promoting the circular economy activation, EPR is a major part of this program.
There has been communication with different stakeholders to prevent and reduce plastic waste generation. Key initiatives prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation include:
List of initiatives:
- (PepsiCo, SABIC, and NCWM) closed loop initiative
- EPR (currently considering various option to introduce fees on users of single use plastic bags)
Measures |
Achievements |
Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws) |
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Names of actions: Targeted products:
The main scope is included the study of current situation of three streams, provide the best international practices that implement the EPR, review the regulation and proposed the responsible policies. the study will include proposing fees and the implementation Plan for EPR System and proposed the regulator & organizational Framework Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Measures |
Achievements |
Environmentally sound waste management |
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Enforcement of proper waste management system |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Measures |
Achievements |
Cleanup of marine plastic litter |
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Collection of scattered waste on beach |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Removal of plastic litter from the ocean |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Measures |
Achievements |
Promotion of innovative solutions |
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Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on’) |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution |
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Names of actions: Brief description: |
We do not see any particular trend |
Measures |
Achievements |
Education and awareness raising |
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Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues |
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This item has been listed as a key component of the National Action Plan as described in section 2 above. | We do not see any particular trend |
Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL |
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National level: Names of actions: Brief description:
International / Regional level: Names of actions: Brief description: |
National level: We do not see any particular trend Local level: We do not see any particular trend |
Measures |
Achievements |
Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter |
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Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Names of actions: Brief description: Regularly (1-2 years) re-survey beaches that have baseline data. Encourage and support local marine institutes and universities to undertake research to determine the social and economic impacts of marine litter in the Red Sea region of Saudi Arabia. Encourage and support local marine institutes and universities to conduct research on protective and regulatory measures for protecting the coastal and marine environments from litter arising from urban or rural areas.. |
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Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics |
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Names of actions: Brief description: The SEM Project focuses on improving management of marine resources in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden through building on resource protection, incentive systems for communities and harmonization of the knowledge base of marine resources between PERSGA member countries. These outcomes will be achieved through the provision of technical assistance for selected MPAs, including awareness of participatory approach in using marine resources applying Ecosystem Based Management principles. |
We do not see any particular trend |
Challenges
- Recycling system improvement
- Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
- Data collection related to waste in general
- Data collection related to marine plastic litter
- Lack of awareness among citizens, business, local governments
Best practices
Sabic innovative solutions in reducing plastic waste generation
International cooperation
Regional cooperation by PERSIGA
Contact details
Dr. Abdullah Fisal Sbai
asbai@mewa.gov.sa
ceo@mwan.gov.sa