Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has launched a national licensing framework for the waste recycling industry, introducing eight licensed activity streams along with a dedicated industrial permitting guide. The initiative aims to mobilise up to SAR 40 billion ($10.7 billion) in private sector investments and accelerate the development of waste-to-value projects across the Kingdom.

As per news reports, the move formally integrates the recycling industry as a standalone sector within Saudi Arabia’s industrial licensing system, supporting Vision 2030, the National Industrial Strategy and the national waste management master plan, according to a ministry statement.

The programme targets the recovery of 4.2 million tonnes of recyclable materials by 2035 and is being implemented in coordination with the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN), the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

The eight licensed activities under the framework cover organic compost production, reuse of municipal solid waste, reuse of hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste, recycling of oils and petroleum waste, municipal waste disposal through landfill or waste-to-energy incineration, as well as the sorting, processing and preparation of metal scrap and waste for use as industrial raw materials and feedstock.

More than 235 companies are expected to benefit from the new regulatory framework, including around 125 recycling firms, 90 sorting companies and 20 treatment operators, the ministry said.

During the launch event, industrial licences were awarded to five companies operating in the sector: TerraFuel Environmental Services, WASCO Waste Collection & Recycling, Edama Organic Solutions, Creative Recycling World Company and Green City International Trading.