The Kingdom disposed of over 12 million tons of waste in 2013 because of increased construction projects, its growing population, and expanded commercial and industrial activities, according the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
The ministry stated in its annual report that each individual produces an average of 1.28 kg of waste every day. In major cities, this increases to 1.4 kg, 1.1 kg in mid-sized cities, and 0.7 kg in small cities and villages.
The report stated that 63 percent of municipal waste is concentrated in major cities, with Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Al-Ahsa at the top of the list. Medium-sized cities produce 27 percent and small cities and villages 10 percent.
Organic waste forms more than 40 percent of annual municipal waste, paper and carton 20 percent, plastic 15 percent, and metal, glass and textiles between 4 to 7 percent.
The report stated that the ministry was working to dispose of municipal waste in a healthy and safe manner. Inspectors from its general directorate for environmental health conduct regular field trips to evaluate the level of cleanliness in cities.
The ministry also monitors companies to ensure compliance with waste disposal and hygiene contracts in these cities. The directorate and health committees take action based on their own reports, complaints filed by citizens, and those highlighted by the media.
The report said the ministry has appointed a specialized consultancy to create an index to measure levels of cleanliness in every city and evaluate the performance of municipalities. The first phase of the project has already begun.
The ministry is also reviewing and updating the conditions and specifications of city hygiene contracts to ensure better quality performance. It is preparing to study ways to dispose of solid waste with techniques and technology used by highly industrialized nations, according to the report.
It said the ministry reviewed rules and instructions issued in 2013 to improve cleaning services, including the municipal solid waste management system resolution issued by the Council of Ministers. Several temporary regulations were issued to allow the private sector to invest in cleaning services until the ministry defines the best choices and alternatives for treating and recycling waste in the Kingdom.
A new guide for the burial of solid municipal waste has been issued. This includes special conditions for temporary locations to store dangerous medical waste, and set conditions, contracts and specifications for cities' waste disposal. It includes rules and regulations for companies wishing to transport construction waste, and a list of penalties and fines for disposing of waste in unassigned areas.
Over 12m tons of waste disposed of in 2013
