WASTE
Saudi Arabia has turned to innovative solutions to deal with the disposal of waste, from recycling to generating energy.
How did the company get involved in environmental issues in Saudi Arabia?
Fadil Fuad Basyyoni Some 15 years ago there was very little awareness about environmental issues from business in the MENA region. The total picture in terms of wider environmental issues, such as air pollution, green energy, and glass recycling had a low level of awareness here. DFBG spoke with the authorities about taking aggressive action to do this, and a waste management and classification regulation was subsequently passed in Saudi Arabia. As understanding grew, more advanced recycling solutions came into play. This is the point where DFBG came in. I am proud to say we were one of the first companies to start working in this sector. We brought in solutions, created contracts, particularly with government authorities, and worked to find new solutions to environmental problems so the government knew what to do.
Mohammad Al-Elyani BeeA'h was established at the direction of the Royal Commission, the governing environmental regulator in Al Jubail Industrial City. The Royal Commission recognized that progressive industrialization would potentially create environmental issues and, along with certain leading industries, decided to involve the private sector to meet the environmental management needs of the city, which resulted in the establishment of BeeA'h. Business commenced in 1989, with a small landfill site of 75,000sqm, which then expanded a year later into the physical and chemical treatment of hazardous and industrial waste. For some time, the hazardous organic waste that was generated in the Industrial City was not managed and had to be stored until BeeA'h commissioned its hazardous waste incineration center in 1997, the first of its kind in the Gulf region and making BeeA'h the market leader with fully integrated waste management facilities.
What projects will you focus on?
FFB We are establishing a company to implement new ideas with a private not-for-profit organization in Saudi Arabia. We are doing a project together at the moment to establish recycling programs in every city. Part of the recycling scheme will be not-for-profit, and some will be to create profits for the partners. This project will focus on electronic, plastic, and cardboard recycling with a different approach. We will approach homes and owners of waste to offer them solutions, including collecting waste, and recycling. We also seek to revive our waste to energy project, because with the change in governmental approach and Vision 2030, this project will now be feasible.
How important is the waste management sector to the Saudi market?
MAE Saudi Arabia is one of the world's major oil and petrochemical producers, with Al Jubail in particular being one of the largest industrial petrochemical sites in the world. The country recognizes that industrialization brings with it the risk of environmental damage which, if not managed properly, will adversely impact and endanger the quality of life for future generations. Greater emphasis is now being focused on opportunities for recovering processed materials, recycling, and reusing the waste that has been generated and only using waste disposal as a last resort.
How has Vision 2030 created a new era for renewables and green solutions?
FFB Vision 2030 itself is a great tool; however, it does not contain much of an explanation about environmental proposals. We wanted such details to be in the vision. Now the government is adopting a new approach to push the environmental agenda more. We want to see practical projects and investment happening in real life for green energy, recycling, and revenue from waste, and not just studies being done. Waste can provide a great return as a new income source. We can either turn it into green energy or sell recycled materials to factories at a competitive price. Vision 2030 is an excellent tool; however, we need great KPIs to manage the vision and give it life in a practical sense.
MAE We are highly encouraged and motivated by Vision 2030 and are committed to doing our best to be a part of the success harvested from this vision. We are working to maximize the use and productivity of existing resources in order the meet the demands of industry for safe and compliant waste management at economic rates. BeeA'h is fully aware of industry needs and the current and new technologies that can be employed to satisfy regulatory requirements. Throughout almost 30 years of operation we have met increasingly more demanding regulatory compliance standards and modified our operations and invested in new facilities to ensure compliance. We continue to look at emerging recycling and recovery opportunities and to evaluate alternative treatment methods for specific waste streams that can offer greater economies to waste generators. There is no one solution or technique for all waste being generated.
WASTE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Column
YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei
TBY talks to YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, on the sector.
read articleReview
A Crude Awakening
The Kingdom has made renewables a critical aspect of its ambitious Vision 2030 effort to diversify its economy and wean itself from a strictly carbon-based diet, not to mention empower local businesses and individuals to take up the mantle and lead the energy sector into the next generation.
read articleInterview
Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) , Saudi Aramco,
TBY talks to Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) at Saudi Aramco, on the IKTVA program, supporting local content, and looking back over a successful year.
read articleInterview
Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO, Thiqah
TBY talks to Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO of Thiqah, on how the private sector can keep pace with the speed of public reforms, delivering a strong and lasting value proposition, and integrating the fruits of privatization into the public sector.
read articleFocus: Technology Investments
Investment Calling
A technological revolution is underway in the Kingdom. Already one of the most tech-savvy nations in the Middle East, the Saudi market has long sought a thriving domestic technology and innovation scene. And with Vision 2030, it is on course to deliver just that.
read articleReview
A Hejaz Unhindered
An ambitious series of road and rail projects from the Jordanian border down to the Indian Ocean are slated to open in part before the end of 2017. They bring the Kingdom that much nearer to its goal of greater non-carbon-based economic integration with the world.
read articleInterview
Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and Minister, Civil Service
TBY talks to Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and current Minister of Civil Service, on an attractive legislative framework for investment, railway linkages, and port developments.
read articleInterview
Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President, Public Transport Authority (PTA
TBY talks to Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President of Public Transport Authority (PTA) & Acting President of Saudi Railway Organization, on teaming up with commercially committed partners, making sure the Kingdom's land and sea bridges are of the first order, and providing employment for all the Kingdom's inhabitants.
read articleInterview
Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority, and Minister of Transport
TBY talks to Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, Minister of Transport, and President of Saudi Ports Authority, on optimally restricting concession agreements, resolving bottlenecks in the logistics chain, and privatizing as rapidly as possible.
read articleInterview
Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director , Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)
TBY talks to Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), on the importance of strong and rational regulations, knowledge transfers, and unifying public and private transportation networks.
read articleInterview
Imad El-Zein, CEO, Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia
TBY talks to Imad El-Zein, CEO of Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia, on growing market share in challenging circumstances, partnering with world-class players to boost its local presence, and combining better services with lower costs.
read articleInterview
Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS)
TBY talks to Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO of Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS), on maximizing safe and effective services, effectively increasing the rate of Saudization, and easing the pathway of women into the workforce.
read articleInterview
Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO, Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO of Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), on Jeddah's unplanned settlements, the company's redevelopment projects, and its partnership model with the private sector.
read articleInterview
Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister, Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office
TBY talks to Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister for Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office, on reforms within the Ministry of Health, the corporatization of healthcare provision, and transformations in care delivery.
read articleInterview
Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO, University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company
TBY talks to Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO of University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company, on the evolution of the company, education investments, and upcoming sectors that will need support from the sector.
read articleFocus: Universities
Broad and Deep
As part of the continuing decentralization of higher education in Saudi Arabia, individual universities are pursuing their own paths to grow their faculties, engage with various international stakeholders, and ultimately move toward a more privatized future.
read articleInterview
Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah, Yanbu Hotels
TBY talks to Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah/Yanbu Hotels & General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Jeddah, on the role the firm plays in the market, expanding its footprint in the country, and expectations for 2017.
read article
