GCC Waste Management Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Waste Type (Municipal Solid Waste, Construction and Demolition Waste, Industrial Hazardous Waste, Medical Hazardous Waste, Waste of Electrical and Electronics Equipment, Agricultural Waste, Slaughterhouse Waste, and Other Waste Types), By Disposal Method (Landfill, Incineration, and Recycling), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The GCC waste management market size was valued at USD 61.92 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 66.32 billion in 2024 to USD 100.22 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.29% during the forecast period.

Waste management is the management of unwanted garbage by disposing and recycling them. It is also the collection, transportation, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activities and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the envfironment or aesthetics. Moreover, it encompasses proper methods that need to be kept in mind to protect the environmental conditions of the surroundings.

Waste, and getting rid of it in a manner that makes sense for the economy and the environment, is an issue that has been getting much more attention and investment recently across the GCC. Waste volumes are rising owing to rapid urbanization combined with some long-standing societal issues around general wastefulness that make this a serious and ongoing problem. As the global population continues to grow, and more people move to urban areas, the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) increases. This heightened waste production creates a demand for efficient waste controlling solutions, leading to the expansion of the market and increases the market share.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in consumer behavior and lifestyle, affecting waste generation patterns. For instance, lockdowns and restrictions may have influenced the types and quantities of waste generated, with potential shifts in household, commercial, and industrial waste. The pandemic resulted in a surge in medical waste due to increased healthcare activities, including testing, treatment, and vaccine distribution. Proper management of medical waste became a critical concern for waste management authorities.

GCC Waste Management Market Trends

Increasing Focus on Smart Waste Management Technologies to Bolster Market Growth

There is an increased focus on using advanced technologies for the collection and treatment of waste. Advanced sensors that notify collection authorities when the bins are full is one example of these smart solutions. The rise in Internet-based solutions (IoT) drives the GCC waste management market growth.

Automation and data-driven decision-making in waste managing can lead to a reduction in operational costs. Smart technologies help minimize unnecessary waste collection trips, fuel consumption, and labor expenses, contributing to overall cost-effectiveness. Real-time monitoring allows waste management authorities to respond promptly to issues such as overflowing bins or equipment malfunctions. This leads to improved service quality, enhanced customer satisfaction, and a more proactive approach to managing waste-related challenges.

In January 2022, Zain KSA (Saudi Arabian telecom services provider) and Tata Communications collaborated to bring smart city solutions to Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims at the mutual ecosystems that will provide solutions and platforms to remodel cities with smart waste management, smart street lighting, connected workplaces, and others.

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GCC Waste Management Market Growth Factors

Increasing Government Regulations for Waste Disposal to Aid Market Growth

An increasing number of measures taken by the government and other advisory bodies to reduce the illegal dumping of waste are anticipated to drive the growth of the waste disposal market. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates household, industrial, and manufacturing solid and hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA's goals are to protect from the hazards of waste disposal, conserve energy and natural resources by recycling and recovery, reduce or eliminate waste, and clean up the waste that may have spilt, leaked or been improperly disposed of.

In December 2022, The National Center for Waste Management finalized the table containing the organization of various violations of the law, its administrative rules, and the fines for violations. Fines ranging from USD 53 to USD 266 will be executed on people throwing waste while walking or via the windows of vehicles or buildings. In addition, the center stated that those who throw their contents, take out recyclable waste, and dig up waste containers will be fined a minimum of USD 266 and a maximum of USD 2,663.

Increasing Awareness of Management of Waste and Environmental Conscience to Fuel Market Growth 

There is an increasing awareness among people about the environmental hazards of inefficient management systems. With the rising population, there is a growth in the amount of waste produced. With massive urbanization and industrialization, there is a rise in industrial waste and e-waste as well. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of medical waste.

It has been observed that the rising amount of liquid waste generation and illegal dumping of hazardous waste in the water bodies has affected aquatic life and increased eutrophication of water bodies, which leads to the poisoning of water, making it unusable.

There is also a rising concern about groundwater contamination in Saudi Arabia due to toxic metal ions from industrial wastes. The metal ions found in the groundwater of KSA are Al, Ba, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Fe, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Li, Se, Pb, V and Zn. Hence, it is necessary to manage waste by incineration, recycling, and using proper landfills rather than open dumps.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of the Solution May Restrain Market Growth

Waste management has a high cost in terms of capital and investment. The development of landfills, incinerators, and recycling machinery contributes to the major capital cost. Moreover, the development of efficient disposal, collection and processing of waste requires sturdy logistical systems, adding to the operational cost.

In addition, the solution requires a highly motivated workforce for smooth operations. It is also difficult to retain the workforce in the field. The workforce must be adequately trained to manage different types of waste in order to avoid pollution. Thus, the workforce costs add to the working capital of projects.

Furthermore, the treatment of hazardous industrial wastes and hazardous medical wastes is very costly due to the need for specialized equipment and facilities. Radioactive wastes generally have to be stored in underground repositories. In addition, medical waste must be burnt off with incinerators.

GCC Waste Management Market Segmentation Analysis

By Waste Type Analysis

Municipal Solid Waste Segment Held the Dominant Share Owing to Surge in Waste Generation Due to the Rapid Urbanization and Population Growth

Based on waste type, the market is divided into municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, industrial hazardous waste, medical hazardous waste, waste of electrical and electronics equipment, agricultural waste, slaughterhouse waste, and other waste types.

The municipal solid waste segment held a major share of the market. Municipal solid waste includes commercial and domestic wastes generated in municipal or notified areas in either solid or semi-solid form, excluding industrial hazardous wastes but including treated bio-medical wastes.

According to the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the impact of population growth and steady economic development in the UAE has been evident in increased waste generation and chemical usage rates. The per capita municipal solid waste generation in the country reached about 2.1 kg/day before falling to around 1.8 kg/day, one of the highest in the world.

Construction and demolition waste is the second leading segment in the GCC waste management market. The GCC region has experienced substantial urbanization and infrastructure development, including the construction of buildings, roads, and other projects. This has led to an increase in construction and demolition activities, resulting in a significant volume of C&D waste.

By Disposal Method Analysis

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Landfilling Segment Dominates Owing to Huge Waste Generation the Rapid Economic Development, Urbanization, and Population Growth

Based on disposal method, the market is segmented into incineration, landfilling and recycling.

The landfilling segment is leading and holds the largest GCC waste management market share among others. Landfilling is considered to be the most appropriate method for the disposal of waste. As reported by the World Future Energy Summit, the UAE currently has a waste generation ratio of between 1.9 to 2.5 kilograms per person per day, with around 77% of the waste ending up in landfill sites. For non-hazardous waste, the Emirate of Dubai has one treatment facility and four landfill sites – and no incineration plant.

Moreover, there is a rise in Waste-to-Energy Projects, driving the need for incineration and recycling methods. Qatar was the first GCC country to implement a waste-to-energy programme. It currently generates over 30MW of electricity from its Domestic Solid Waste Management Center (DSWMC) located at Mesaieed (Doha).

COUNTRY INSIGHTS

Regionally, the market is studied across, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.

Among other countries, Saudi Arabia dominated the market. The National Center for Waste Management targets to recycle 35% of all types of waste by 2035. It plans to treat the waste that cannot be recycled by producing derivative fuels or energy. It is projected that Saudi Arabia will need over 1,300 landfills and treatment facilities to treat 106 million tons of waste by 2035. Moreover, the National Center for Waste Management’s Vision 2030 targets are recycling: 42%, achieving total diversion rate from landfill: 82%, incineration: 19%, compost: 35%, and others: 4%.

UAE is also one of the major countries in the GCC waste management market. In February 2022, Kiverco, a specialist in engineering and manufacturing, was selected by Dulsco, an integrated solutions provider and the official partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, to design, manufacture, install, and commission a complete turnkey solution to help divert waste from landfill.

Kuwait, being one of the main countries in the market, is aiming to construct its first industrial zone housing companies specializing in waste recycling, mostly industrial waste. The Public Authority for Industry will shortly select a consultant to issue tenders for the project in the Northern Shagaya region.

List of Key Companies in GCC Waste Management Market

Companies Focus on Mergers & Acquisitions and Partnerships to Gain Competitive Edge

Veolia is one of the Middle Eastern companies that work across the whole range of environmental services - an exclusive service that it is proud of being able to offer. The company is at the forefront of technology, developing unique solutions to access and preserve resources and replenish them. Veolia has set the goal of being the benchmark company for ecological transformation globally. It has expertise in managing both solid and liquid non-hazardous and hazardous waste. The company also specializes in the waste lifecycle, from collection to recycling to the recovery of end products such as energy and materials.

Averda operates in various regions, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Averda provides a range of waste managing services and solutions, including collection, recycling, treatment, and disposal. It collaborates with industrial facilities to manage and process specific types of waste generated by industrial processes. These collaborations often aim to optimize waste handling and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Averda (UAE)


• Veolia (France)


• BEEAH Group (UAE)


• CIT Group Ltd (Saudi Arabia)


• Dulsco Qatar (Qatar)


• Urbaser (Spain)


• Al Hodaifi Recycling (Qatar)


• Al Haya Enviro (Qatar)


• MBM Dallah (UAE)


• West Coast Waste (U.S.)


• Al-Fahhad Zegwaard Co. (Saudi Arabia)


• SOLV (UAE)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• November 2022: Averda and King Abdullah University of Science of Technology announced the contract for a facility and services that will offer sustainable solutions for the university, with zero-waste goals expected to be achieved by 2025. Averda will manage all characteristics of solid and hazardous waste, comprising recycling, sorting, transfer, and disposal.


• October 2022: BEEAH Group launched a recycling site with artificial intelligence and robotics to strengthen zero-waste-to-landfill goals. The industrial and commercial waste recycling site is the tenth and newest inclusion to BEEAH recycling’s waste management complex, which aims to aid Sharjah in accomplishing 100% landfill waste diversion this year.


• January 2022: Envac announced that it is gearing up for further growth following its decision to acquire Precision Air Convey (PAC), a U.S. firm specializing in manufacturing, installing and servicing trim and matrix removal systems for labels, paper, film and sheet industries. PAC has recently entered the hospital sector, having won a major contract to install its Pneumatic Waste Collection System in a 1.5 million square foot hospital on Penn Medicine’s west Philadelphia campus. The hospital sector was one of Envac’s key strategic priorities for 2022. It has established itself as a hospital PWCS specialist since it first unveiled its first-ever system in a Swedish hospital in 1961.


• October 2021: Enviroserve claimed that the recycling plant built by it in Dubai is capable of processing 14 times more e-waste than it does presently. It processes waste from 10 countries across the Middle East & Africa. The company can recycle up to 98% of the material from an electronic device into raw materials, which are then sold to manufacturers in the automotive, IT, and construction industries.


• May 2021: BEEAH announced that it will be pursuing plans for the region's first waste-to-hydrogen project in the UAE. The project includes a green hydrogen generation plant and a hydrogen vehicle fueling station in collaboration with the U.K.-based Chinook Sciences. The Waste-to-Hydrogen project is an evolution of Beeah and Chinook Sciences' USD 180 million waste gasification to energy project. It addresses the increased demand in the region for new sources of renewable energy, such as green hydrogen.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product/service types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

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Report Scope & Segmentation