Oman to Implement New Policy on Recycling and Waste Management

The Omani government is developing a new policy framework to promote recycling as part of a broader waste management strategy. Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, announced that this policy will serve as a legislative framework governing all aspects of waste management in the Sultanate and will enhance recycling activities that have been steadily increasing in recent years.

Al Amri highlighted that the strategy to boost recycling is founded on three essential elements:

• Formulating new laws for recycling and waste management.
• Creating an implementation plan and delineating the roles of each entity and ministry.
• Establishing principles for waste segregation at the source and promoting waste reduction and reuse prior to recycling.

Additionally, the authority is working on rules and regulations that will serve as guiding frameworks for sectors involved in waste management. To support these legislative efforts, tariffs have been imposed on waste exports to encourage local recycling activities. These tariffs ensure that waste collectors sell their gathered waste to local factories, thereby fostering investor confidence in Oman’s recycling economy.

The Environment Authority will also play a pivotal role in enabling the Omani government to achieve its strategic national commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050. Key projects include the Oman Blue Carbon Project, which involves planting 100 million mangrove trees in Al Wusta Governorate to earn carbon credits, and efforts by an Omani climate tech startup to permanently store CO2 captured from the atmosphere in ophiolite rocks.

Al Amri emphasized that Oman’s Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the UN outline efforts to achieve a 7% direct reduction in emissions and a conditional 14% reduction contingent on international support. He underscored that Oman is not only addressing environmental challenges but also actively contributing to global environmental solutions.

Source: Oman to Implement New Policy on Recycling and Waste Management – Oman Observer