Oman’s waste management landscape has transformed remarkably in the past decade, shifting from fragmented municipal efforts to a nationalised, circular economy-driven system. Guided by Oman Vision 2040, it has embarked on a journey towards waste minimization, resource efficiency and climate change mitigation. In an interview with Waste & Recycling magazine Dr. Mohab Ali Al Hinai, Vice President – Sustainability & Circular Economy at Oman

Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah) reflects on the progress achieved so far and outlines the plans in the pipeline

Over the last decade, Oman has undergone a significant transformation from municipality-led waste disposal to a centralized, structured system managed by Oman Environmental Services Holding Company, be’ah, says Dr. Mohab Ali Al Hinai, “This includes the decommissioning of hundreds of uncontrolled dumpsites, the development of engineered landfills, and the establishment of transfer stations across all governorates.”

The country generates 2.6 million tons of waste annually. As stated in its Annual Report 2024, be’ah is focused on achieving the ambitious goals of Excellence, Sustainability, and Waste Diversion centered around two strategic targets - namely, 1) To divert 60% of waste from landfills by 2030 and increase this rate to 80% by 2040 and 2) To reduce daily waste generation per person from 1.2 kg to below 1.0 kg by 2040.

Headquartered in Muscat and operating under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), be’ah is responsible for managing municipal, industrial and healthcare waste in the country, providing waste management services from collection to disposal to both private and public sectors.

According to Al Hinai, Oman’s evolving waste management strategy is now closely aligned with circular economy principles. Beyond just collection and disposal, the country’s focus has expanded to innovation, decarbonisation, and resource recovery.

Key challenges

Despite the advances, Oman’s waste sector still faces notable hurdles. “Public awareness and behavioral change remain key challenges, especially around source segregation,” notes Al Hinai.

“Beyond just collection and disposal, the country’s focus has expanded to innovation, decarbonisation, and resource recovery”

He points out the current gaps in comprehensive waste management legislation and policies, suggesting that these have presented challenges to the advancement of an integrated recycling ecosystem. “In the absence of clear frameworks—such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) or landfill diversion targets—it has been difficult to create consistent incentives for producers, consumers, and the private sector to transition toward more sustainable practices,” he observes.

Oman’s geographic spread and relatively low population density present logistical and cost-efficiency challenges in building scalable recycling systems. “We also face limited domestic demand for recycled materials, which hinders investment in local recycling facilities,” he adds. “A stronger private-sector ecosystem supported by cutting-edge technology is the need of the hour.”

Innovative solutions

be’ah has launched several initiatives aimed at improving recycling rates and landfill management. The Eco-Innovate Oman Accelerator, for instance, supports Omani startups working on sustainability, circular economy, and clean tech solutions. “This has helped nurture innovation and promote entrepreneurial solutions to Oman’s unique waste challenges,” the VP points out.

“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Raysut Cement and other partners to supply Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) as an alternative energy source, thus reducing both emissions and landfill reliance.”

Other initiatives include:

Lead-Acid Battery Recycling: Enhanced LAB recycling through a partnership with Althail Metal Recycling, boosting local recycling rates and aligning with global best practices.

Recycling e-marketplace (trading) platform: be’ah has initiated efforts to develop a digital platform to streamline the trading of recyclable materials, bringing more transparency, traceability, and competitiveness into the market.

Waste-to-Energy Project in Barka: A large-scale waste-to-energy facility is being planned in Barka in collaboration with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP). The project represents a major step towards transforming residual waste into a valuable energy resource while reducing landfill dependency. 

Legislative momentum

Regulatory reforms are now catching up with infrastructure development. Al Hinai confirms that Oman is drafting new policies that incorporate EPR, landfill diversion targets, and private sector engagement.

“Recent government directives have also strengthened regulations around the import/export and treatment of hazardous and non-hazardous waste,” he explains. At the same time, the Oman Investment Authority’s (OIA) ESG guidelines are pushing major companies towards more responsible waste and climate practices.

Potential for green investment

For entrepreneurs, Oman’s evolving waste landscape presents untapped opportunities. “There’s strong innovation support through programs like Eco-Innovate Oman and national entrepreneurship initiatives,” says Dr. Al Hinai.

Promising sectors include construction and demolition waste recycling, composting, and sustainable packaging.

Technology also holds massive potential. “We see opportunities for digital solutions in traceability, waste flow data analytics, and B2B platforms that bridge operational gaps,” he adds. “As Oman advances its climate policy, there’s a great potential for creating voluntary carbon credits from diversion and recycling projects," he adds.

be’ah has been leading the charge in developing a modern waste management system for Oman. From managing municipal, industrial, and healthcare waste to engaging with local SMEs and international innovators, the company has embedded sustainability in its DNA.

“We’re committed to achieving a circular economy business model,” states Al Hinai. This commitment is exemplified throughout the company’s operations, as well as its consistent communication with stakeholder groups at multiple levels to promote circular economy through capacity building and raising awareness in society at large, and the communities that it operates within including academia, Omani-owned SMEs, entrepreneurs, as well as engaging with international partners that bring global experience and innovation, he concludes.