NGOs spotlight practical sustainability at Saudi Environment Week event

RIYADH: Non-governmental organizations are showcasing practical, locally-developed solutions to reduce waste, encourage sustainable habits and address land degradation during Saudi Environment Week.

At an event in Riyadh on Monday, NGOs presented initiatives ranging from food waste reduction and electronics refurbishment to recycling and desertification-focused vegetation work, aligning with the week’s goals of raising awareness, mobilizing cross-sector action and engaging youth.

One of the organizations focusing on outreach was the Food Preservation Charity in the Riyadh region.

Mimonah Al-Ajlan, a supervisor at the charity, told Arab News: “We are an organization dedicated to collecting surplus food. Among the programs and projects we have launched is the ‘Blessing and Preservation’ program.”

She said the charity uses child-focused content to promote food preservation through characters called “Nemah and Hafiz,” presented in an educational, entertainment format.

“We created a cartoon character designed to teach children how to preserve blessings,” Al-Ajlan said.

She said educational episodes are available on YouTube to encourage practical habits around food preservation.

The YouTube channel is called “Our Nemmah,” which translates to “our blessings.”

Al-Ajlan said the organization has visited more than 100 schools in the Riyadh region, including public and private schools, as part of its outreach.

“We carry out community initiatives and community partnerships,” she said.

She said the charity also runs donor-funded projects aimed at reducing waste and reusing surplus materials, including initiatives to process surplus bread and collect used oil for reuse.

Al-Ajlan said the organization also holds ISO certification related to food safety management for its handling and processing operations.

While food waste was one focus of NGO participation, other groups at the event highlighted environmental gains that can come from keeping products in use for longer — particularly electronics.

Ohood Al-Ghamdi, coordinator of beneficiary relations at Ertiqa, told Arab News the association refurbishes computers to extend their life and reduce electronic waste, with donated devices distributed to beneficiaries across the Kingdom.

“Of course, the Artaqaa Association is one of Al-Fawzan’s community service initiatives,” she said.

Al-Ghamdi said Ertiqa was founded in 2014 and specializes in refurbishing devices so they can be donated to groups including non-profit organizations, charitable entities and public schools.

“Our goals are to protect the environment and also preserve digital resources,” she told Arab News.

She said devices that cannot be refurbished are sent through a full recycling process so components can be converted into raw materials rather than discarded through their partner, Al-Qaryan Group.

Al-Ghamdi said the association works with the recycling company to process non-repairable devices in its factories, with resulting raw materials then used by local industries in Saudi Arabia.

NGO participants also highlighted efforts connected to vegetation cover and combating desertification, with a focus on preserving native trees and ensuring planting initiatives can succeed in harsh conditions.

Saleh Al-Raqraq, president of the Dawadmi Association for the Preservation of Trees and Parks, told Arab News the nonprofit was founded five years ago and works on forest protection, reducing firewood harvesting and increasing vegetation cover through community initiatives.

“Our main goal this week is to leave a lasting impact of awareness for future generations,” Al-Raqraq said.

He said one of the association’s key projects is a seed bank created after it noticed some tree species were disappearing, with seeds collected, treated, stored and distributed to other associations and community members.

“The primary goal of establishing the seed bank is to preserve trees threatened with extinction,” he said.

Al-Raqraq said storage is a recurring challenge because many seeds have limited viability, prompting the association to use temperature-control approaches and conduct studies aimed at extending seed lifespan.

“There is also a fight against desertification,” he said.

A technology-driven approach to planting in sandy areas was also presented by Wasm Environmental Association.

Saad Al-Ajmi, president of Wasm Environmental Association, told Arab News the nonprofit works on awareness, planting native trees and partnering with government entities.

“The association is a nonprofit organization with environmental goals, including raising awareness and promoting environmental values as well as planting native trees and collaborating with government agencies,” he said.

Al-Ajmi said the association has an initiative called “We Made It Saudi,” which uses a method to deliver water deeper into sandy soil before planting, creating a moisture pocket that supports seedlings in dune environments.

“It works like an injection — we inject water into the soil, reaching a depth of about three meters, providing moisture for the seedlings,” he said.

He said the association tested the method last year and tracked results through the hottest months, aiming to reduce the need for repeated irrigation in exposed sandy areas.

“We saw its success within the first two months. After the summer passed without any irrigation. The following year it produced seeds,” Al-Ajmi said.

The approach targets the Arta tree (Calligonum comosum), a hardy, long-lived desert plant that grows well in sandy and dune ecosystems. It is considered an important component of vegetation cover in Saudi desert landscapes, helping stabilize sandy areas and supporting grazing environments and broader ecological balance.

Saudi Environment Week runs from May 3-9, 2026, held annually to raise environmental awareness, encourage sustainable practices, and strengthen coordination between communities, government entities and the private sector.