Saudi Waste Management Market Set to Reach $8.72 Billion by 2030
The Saudi Waste Management Market is changing fast, and not just in size. Sure, the numbers are impressive: it’s expected to grow from USD 5.97 billion in 2025 to USD 8.72 billion by 2030. That’s a solid 7.85% CAGR. But what’s really interesting is how the country is rethinking waste altogether. This isn’t just about garbage collection anymore. It’s about turning waste into opportunity, and the Saudi Waste Management Market is right at the center of that shift.
Nearly Half of Saudi Waste Comes from Just Three Cities
Saudi Arabia produces over 110 million tons of waste every year. And almost half of that comes from just three cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Riyadh alone accounts for 21% of the total. That kind of concentration puts a lot of pressure on local infrastructure, and it’s one of the reasons the Saudi Waste Management Market is seeing so much activity in urban areas.
Landfills Are Filling Up, And That’s Forcing a Rethink
For years, the go-to solution was landfilling. It was cheap, about $1.87 per ton, and easy. But now, landfills are reaching capacity, and many aren’t even properly engineered. That’s a problem. Once a landfill is full, the land can’t be used for much else. So the Saudi Waste Management Market is being pushed to evolve. The government’s Vision 2030 plan is a big part of that. By 2040, the goal is to divert 90% of waste away from landfills. That includes 40% recycling, 31% composting, and 16% energy recovery.
Private Sector Is Stepping In, Big Time
The private sector is getting involved in a serious way. In June 2024, the Saudi Ports Authority signed an $8 million deal with Reviva to build a 10,000-square-meter recycling complex in Jeddah. That’s not just a one-off project, it’s part of a broader push to turn waste into economic value. And it shows how the Saudi Waste Management Market is becoming a space where public and private players are working together.
Tech Is Changing the Game
Innovation is another big driver. Companies like Bee’ah are investing in smart waste collection systems and waste-to-energy plants. Meanwhile, a joint venture between MVW Lechtenberg and Empower is using blockchain to track plastic waste from collection to conversion into fuel. That project alone could cut carbon emissions by over 1.7 million tons a year. These kinds of technologies are helping the Saudi Waste Management Market move beyond traditional models and into something much more efficient, and sustainable.
Who’s Leading the Charge?
The Saudi Waste Management Market is competitive, but not overcrowded. Major players include Bee’ah Group, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), Veolia, Averda, and SUEZ Group. Each of them brings something different to the table, whether it’s scale, tech, or sustainability expertise. SIRC, for example, is backed by the Public Investment Fund and is playing a key role in national recycling efforts.
It’s Not Just About the Environment, It’s About the Economy
In 2021, the cost of environmental damage from solid waste was estimated at $1.3 billion. On the flip side, recycling could add nearly $32 billion to the economy. That’s why the Saudi Waste Management Market isn’t just a cleanup effort, it’s a growth engine. And with the right mix of policy, investment, and innovation, it’s on track to become one of the most dynamic sectors in the region.
Also Read: How Urban Living is Redefining Saudi Household Spending
