Recycling Around the World A-Z: Oman

Recycling Around the World A to Z

Oman

Waste management is a challenge for Oman because there is limited land and so any incorrect disposal of waste would be more likely to impact on the environment and public health. The country has a population of almost 3.9 million people, and it generates around 1.7 million tonnes of waste each year. This works out at about 1.2 kg per person, per day.

Problems with waste management

There is a lot of recyclable waste produced in Oman, but the country does not recycle as much of this waste as it could.

Most solid waste is sent to official and unofficial dumpsites for disposal which causes environmental and public health issues. Some of the dumpsites are in residential areas or close to water sources.

There is also a lack of collection and disposal facilities. Solid waste, industrial waste, and increasingly, e-waste is dumped in landfills across the country. Oman has around 350 landfill sites which are managed by local authorities. There are many unofficial dumps where waste is disposed of irresponsibly.

What is being done?

Al Amerat landfill is the first sanitary landfill in Oman and it began operating in 2011. The project is part of the government’s plan to tackle solid waste in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The landfill is set to be an example for future waste management projects.

Future plans

Waste management is one of the top priorities of the government. They are putting together a strategy to solve the country’s pressing issues. There are plans to open 13 sanitary landfills and 36 energy recovery facilities around the country. The government plan to close unofficial rubbish dumps which pose a risk to the environment and to public health.

Focus on food waste

Oman throws away 1/3 of the food it produces, so to provide a solution, a corporate events organiser, Reflections LLC, has joined a food waste solution provider, ‘The GreenGood Oklin Composting Machine’ to hold a food waste workshop.

Food waste that ends up in landfills is one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gas emissions. The GreenGood Oklin Composting Machine, built in Hong Kong, has been introduced into Oman by Reflections LLC. The machine turns food waste into compost within 24 hours.

The government realises that by reducing the amount of food waste, the amount they have to spend on waste management and disposal can be cut dramatically.

Not only that, they realise that composting is good for the planet as well as for communities, because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.