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Approximately 2.24 billion tons of waste were generated globally in 2020, a number expected to increase by 73% in 2050. The most common waste streams are municipal waste (MW) and industrial waste (IW), releasing environmental pollutants that can destroy natural habitats and affect human health. These include chemicals, pathogens, radiation, heavy metals, and other toxins.

Further, consumption without implementing circular economy principles, is set to deplete natural resources rapidly. With 60% of the world’s major ecosystems degraded or used unsustainably, it is estimated that twice our Earth’s resources will be needed to sustain current economic activity by 2050. Therefore, to continue growing and progressing, we need to invest in better waste management strategies and minimize waste’s impact.

High-income countries generate the most IW. In 2017, the UAE collected 39.188 million tons of waste, while Kuwait produced 37-43 million tons in 2018. Kuwait also placed fourth among 23 OECD countries in having the largest per capita construction and demolition waste (C&DW). In 2018, the country was recycling only 4.8 million tons of waste, 11% of the total, and disposing of almost half of the rest in un-engineered landfills.

Saudi Arabia also generates about 53 million tons of waste per year, the petrochemical sector being a significant contributor. In 2020, 875,000 tons of IW were recorded, with an expected 975,000 tons by 2030. Riyadh alone sends 13,300-16,000 tons to landfills each day. Almost 6% of it is incinerated, creating CO2 and unpleasant odors. Only 1% is recycled, with nearly 40% of it being recyclable.

C&DW is the largest waste stream in the EU, accounting for 35% of all waste and 450-500 million tons annually. In the US, C&DW amounted to 600 million tons in 2018, more than double the amount of MSW. The debris comprises of concrete, wood, glass, metals, and plastic. Concrete can make up 40%-85% of the total debris.

However, recycling concrete poses a challenge, as it produces downgraded recycled concrete aggregates, currently only usable for limited applications. Therefore, it is not yet commercially attractive. Steel, on the other hand, is another matter. Global steel production has tripled over the last 50 years, reaching 1.86 billion tons in 2020. With iron ore resources depleting fast, steel recycling and alternative sourcing are promising solutions. Given its high iron recovery rate, red mud (RM) is a valuable industrial waste byproduct and source of low-grade iron and rare Earth elements. RM is generated at 150 million tons/year globally, with 4.6 billion tons of it being present in current waste reserves.

Industrial waste comes in liquid forms as well, mostly generated by the oil & gas industry. This includes drilling fluid, oil wastewater, and oily sludge. Oily sludge holds valuable materials that can also be put back on the market or reused, promoting circular economy principles. Recycling it is highly effective, with 80% of the sludge waste in the US being recycled annually.

Outside the construction and oil & gas industries, mining is another large waste contributor, generating both liquid and solid waste at 100+ billion tons/year globally. Mining activities pollute the air (dust and gas), soil (leaching), and water (acid drainage).

Thus far, landfilling has been the most common waste disposal technique globally. In 2010, it accounted for 35% of waste in the EU. However, it is not a sustainable method. Even engineered landfills can only remain intact for 50-100 years. This can be lengthened through waste pretreatment or bioreactor operations. Further, uncontrolled burning is the default method for approximately 41% of global waste disposal and treatment, with only 1/4-1/3 of the MSW and IW being recycled.

Investing in innovative industrial waste management methods is, therefore, imperative for a more sustainable future. Innovative methods include new techniques, and new technologies. Engineers have recently built solar reactors that can both generate hydrogen from sunlight and water and capture waste elements from the air for reuse. With initiatives such as Vision 2030 or the UN SDG, more countries are looking into similar innovative methods to resolve worldwide industrial waste challenges.

“It is time we prioritize waste management and circular economy principles,” argues Talal Aldossary, President of Estedama Environmental Solutions. “By reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling materials, we can pave the way towards a cleaner future. Let us be the catalysts for change, setting an example for others and leaving a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come."