Saudi Arabia has launched a plastic waste management project designed to process nearly 3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually and produce refuse-derived fuels. This initiative aims to mitigate pollution, protect natural resources, and align with the country’s sustainable development goals.
The project is a collaboration between German environmental consulting firm MVW Lechtenberg and Partner, and Norwegian solution provider Empower. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1,791,300 tonnes per year.
Empower’s blockchain technology will play a crucial role in the project, enabling transparent tracking and management of plastic waste from collection to recycling, including the conversion to refuse-derived fuel.
The project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Environment Strategy and other sustainable development plans, promoting well-designed processes across all sectors.
Saudi Investment Recycling Co is a key player in this initiative, supporting the project’s goal of promoting a circular economy approach. One of the project’s critical aspects is the combination of plastic credits with refuse-derived fuel. This system incentivizes responsible waste disposal by providing financial rewards for verified plastic waste collection and recycling activities.
Moreover, the plastic credits are tradable and can be sold to organizations seeking to meet environmental standards.
