GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Definition

Waste management is the process of collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage, sewage, and other waste products that involves treating solid waste and disposing of unwanted products and substances efficiently and safely. The management of this waste can be done through various methods, such as landfills, in which hazardous and nonhazardous waste is disposed of in a huge pit, then comes the waste incineration process, which involves steps from waste preparation where the incoming waste is sorted by removing recyclables and bulky items, then the next step is combustion, in which the remaining waste enters a combustion chamber. Other methods include recycling and open dumps.

Market Insights & Analysis: GCC Municipal Waste Management Market (2024-30)

The GCC Municipal Waste Management Market size is valued at around USD 63.25 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.2% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. Municipal waste can be differentiated in different ways, like by waste type, by technologies for waste management, and by management methods. So, the technologies used for waste management include sorting technologies, recycling technologies, waste management technologies, and smart waste management solutions.  Sources of municipal waste can be residential and commercial, residential includes waste from households; and commercial includes waste from office buildings, retail, hotels, and others.

The growing urban population and the increase in municipal waste are the key driving factors for the market growth & expansion. Along with it, one significant factor that can drive the GCC waste management industry is the strong and regular push from governments towards sustainable waste management practices and innovating advanced technologies for recycling potential municipal waste. To reduce waste generation, improve waste management infrastructure, and promote recycling, governments across the GCC countries, have implemented stringent regulations and initiatives. Ambitious targets have been set in the UAE’s National Agenda for Sustainable Development to divert waste from landfills and boost recycling rates.

Further, the high initial investment required for establishing modern waste treatment and recycling facilities in the region is one of the primary challenges restraining the growth of the waste management market in the GCC region. Due to this Governments and private entities usually face financial constraints in funding large-scale waste management projects, which also include waste-to-energy plants and advanced recycling facilities. Waste-to-energy (WTE) projects represent a significant opportunity for the waste management sector in the GCC region, as countries in the region seek to reduce landfill dependency and improve renewable energy sources, therefore, there is a growing interest in WTE facilities, as it converts waste into electricity or heat. The WTE projects are not only used in managing waste efficiently but also contribute to the renewable energy targets of the economies.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Driver:

Continuously Rising Urban Population & Increasing Waste – As the opportunities in rural areas for job and career growth are very few therefore the urban population is continuously increasing to search for better opportunities and jobs in the cities, so there is a growing urbanization in the region. Population growth and urbanization have led to rising waste generation in the GCC region. The demand for more advanced waste management solutions is then created by this increased waste generation in the region. For instance;

• There is rapid urban development and an increasing population in cities of GCC like Riyadh and Dubai, which creates the demand for efficient waste systems, waste-to-energy technologies, and recycling facilities.

The urban population is expected to reach around 64.4% by 2030, as per the data from the Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Center (GCC-Stat), which creates a necessity to handle the increased waste volumes through robust developments in the waste management infrastructure. Thus, the rising urban population is projected to augment the size & volume of the GCC municipal waste management industry in the coming years.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Opportunity:

Government Regulation for Recycling Activities & Circular Economy for a Sustainable Environment to Offer Lucrative Growth Opportunities – As health concerns are increasing due to environmental problems, the governments of different economies are creating rules and regulations in different areas for a better and sustainable environment to live in. Municipal waste is no exception to this, the illegal and unsafe dumping of waste creates environmental problems that are continuously raising concerns in governments so they are looking for waste management solutions and increasing rules and regulations regarding this. In the safer waste management solutions and regulatory pressures, recycling is the most preferred solution. This will increase the demand for advanced and innovative waste management technologies, in the GCC waste management market, such as chemical recycling, and waste-to-product processes. That will notably attract the government to circular economy models as well as that will prioritize resource recovery and recycling activities.

As per the Dubai Statistics Center, the UAE government has made considerable budget allocations to promote research and development in advanced recycling technologies, which is also creating new avenues for key market players.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Challenge:

Labor Intensive & High Costs of Transportation Hindering Market Growth – The process of collecting municipal waste is labor intensive and in today’s time where everything is mechanized to reduce the costs, here in this process, the costs are higher. Along with it, the transportation of waste also leads to incurring high costs, as in a city different waste sources are scattered throughout the city in heterogeneous ways that increase waste collection and transportation costs in the municipal waste management system. The waste collection process becomes costly due to scattered waste sources which makes the collection difficult and requires a more labor-intensive process. Also, the development of new and advanced technologies for the collection of municipal waste requires huge initial costs and investment. Therefore, financial constraints are often faced by government and private entities, hindering the growth & expansion of the market.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Trend:

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Projects Gaining Traction – The governments in GCC to satisfy sustainability standards and to lower the carbon emissions as garbage quantities, are looking to invest in waste-to-energy projects, which will be a step towards integrated waste management strategies including recycling and waste-to-energy, and are also continuing to climb dramatically in step with growing populations. For instance;

• One of the most significant projects in the waste-to-energy (WTE) field is now underway in the Middle East by the first Waste-to-Energy development company in the UAE named Emirates Waste to Energy Company (EWTE).

EWTE is building the first WTE plant in Sharjah of the UAE, that will power up to 28,000 households and will remove over 3 Million tonnes of non-recyclable garbage annually from the landfills. It will also produce 30 megawatts of renewable energy.  Along with it, Abu Dhabi has also plans to increase its Waste-to-Energy capacity significantly. Such emerging trends are projected to change the market dynamics and augment the revenue growth of the market players.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The GCC Municipal Waste Management Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2024–2030 at the regional level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on the Waste Type:

• Paper & Paperboard
• Metal
• Plastic
• Food
• Organic Waste
• Others

In recent years, the largest share of the GCC Municipal Waste Management Market was held by paper and paperboard waste type, and it is estimated that this trend will go on during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the greater use of paper & paperboard and organic materials in lower-middle and low-income nations. 

Further, increasing awareness in governments and the public regarding sustainable waste management techniques and funding by the governments for finding and creating recycling solutions for cutting-edge paper waste is set to fuel the business growth of the waste management industry.

Based on the Methods:

• Landfill
• Incineration
• Recycling
• Open Dump
• Others

The biggest share of the GCC Municipal Waste Management Market based on the methods was held by the landfill segment, and it is estimated that this trend will be sustained in the coming years as well. This is mainly due to a proper waste-filling method, and using this method the waste entering the environment is limited. Also, it prevents disease transmission and helps in keeping the atmosphere clean. Authorities choose this method to treat the waste, as a clean and reliable method.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Market (2024-30): Regional Projections

Geographically, the GCC Municipal Waste Management Market expands across:

• The UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Bahrain

From all of these, Saudi Arabia is expected to remain a prevailing market for Municipal Waste Management during the forecast period. Saudi Arabia’s Municipal Waste Management Market is driven by quick investments in renewable energy projects. Also, the country is the largest in the region, by both area and population. Therefore, the waste produced and treated in the region is the largest. The majority of trash produced in the region is through soil and groundwater and is produced in mainly three cities Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Also, the majority of landfills in the region are about to fill up.

GCC Municipal Waste Management Industry Recent Development:

•  2023: Suez Middle East recycling has acquired 60% share of ABB (Czech Republic), and extending its scope in the Czech Republic by entering its industrial and municipal waste management and green energy production markets.
• 2023: Bee’ah has signed an MoU with Rihal to Revolutionize Waste Inspection Using Artificial Intelligence.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Report

1. GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. The GCC Municipal Waste Management Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.