How Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is tackling medical waste to align with the Kingdom’s green vision

Medical facilities generate large amounts of non-biodegradable and hazardous waste, which are harmful to the environment. (Shutterstock photo)
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Updated 07 September 2024
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How Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is tackling medical waste to align with the Kingdom’s green vision

  • Private medical facilities in Saudi Arabia are adopting sustainable waste management practices to minimize their environmental impact
  • Efforts to reduce, reuse, and responsibly dispose of medical waste are essential for achieving the Kingdom’s sustainability goals

RIYADH: When one imagines the worst culprits for commercial waste, many would rightly think of fast fashion, obsolete technology, and food retail. However, one surprisingly prolific offender is the medical community — responsible for vast amounts of non-biodegradable and often hazardous waste.

Mindful of their environmental footprint, private medical facilities in Saudi Arabia are doing their bit to help cut waste by encouraging the reduction, reuse, and recycling of packaging, using materials that are biodegradable, and responsibly disposing of dangerous substances.

Furthermore, many medical facilities are adopting technologies to improve energy efficiency and conserve water in line with the Kingdom’s promotion of corporate social responsibility and its commitment to sustainable development.




Dr. Rosanna Cavalletto. (Supplied)

Dr. Rosanna Cavalletto, who heads the Strategic Development Department at the Sijam Dental Clinic in Riyadh, became aware of the issue when she noticed the huge amount of waste produced by her profession.

“General waste dumpsters were filled with various types of possible recycling materials, such as plastic bottles, coffee cups, and disposable items used in our everyday practice,” Cavalletto told Arab News.

However, she was also aware that medical waste was not always being disposed of properly, including “specific types of hazardous wastes, such as dental amalgam,” she said.

Indeed, dental amalgam — a material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay — consists of a powdered alloy made up of silver, tin, and copper, combined with liquid mercury.

“We cannot forget that mercury is one of the most toxic global non-radioactive pollutants worldwide,” said Cavalletto. “All amalgam waste must be properly disposed of to avoid air, water and soil pollution thereafter.

“Dental practices generate large quantities of waste, including household (non-food) waste, improper hygiene, clinical, hazardous, and food waste, which should be managed appropriately.”

Cavalletto, who authored the book “Save Your Health, Save the Planet: Dentistry for a Bright, Green Future,” launched the “non-medical waste separation” initiative in 2022 to encourage environmental responsibility among medical and cosmetic practitioners.

By mid-2023, the initiative had succeeded in getting new bins installed at Cavalletto’s dental practice, providing different compartments to separate different kinds of waste. But the waste management firm that collected them had another trick up its sleeve.

“The contractor for Sijam Clinics collects our waste full of recyclables weekly and provides us with data to measure the quality of our initiative, which drives us towards reducing environmental pollution,” said Cavalletto.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Medical facilities generate large amounts of non-biodegradable and hazardous waste, which are harmful to the environment.

• The Kingdom’s clinics are embracing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative.

• Innovative waste management initiatives encourage environmental responsibility and pollution reduction.

• Financial incentives and awareness campaigns are crucial for improving waste management in the medical sector.

The transition to better waste management among clinics has not been easy, however. “It was a difficult process with slow steps,” said Cavalletto.

“The truth is there is not enough knowledge about waste separation in dentistry. Making waste separation more convenient and accessible at clinics can encourage proper disposal habits and create a culture of environmental awareness.”

The picture is similar elsewhere in the Saudi medical sector. Abdulrahman Al-Rifai, an environmental engineer at the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, said clinics are gradually improving their sustainability practices.




Abdulrahman Al-Rifai. (Supplied)

“In line with the Saudi Green Initiative, which focuses on reducing emissions, the sector can contribute significantly by adopting environmentally friendly technologies and waste management strategies,” Al-Rifai told Arab News.

“In recent times, companies have increasingly cooperated in the recycling process within the Kingdom to promote efficiency and resource recovery. However, coordination and infrastructure development remain critical for optimal performance.”

The Saudi Green Initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021, pays close attention to circular economy principles, promoting partnerships and innovation in the recycling industry.




Integrating recycling into waste management systems, boosting research and development, and encouraging public participation are essential steps to achieving the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative, says Abdulrahman Al-Rifai, an environmental engineer. (Shutterstock) 

Al-Rifai, who worked in environmental engineering at Panasonic for four years, believes the medical sector requires strong government support, including financial incentives and awareness campaigns, if it is to improve its waste management.

He believes integrating recycling into waste management systems, boosting research and development, and encouraging public participation are essential steps. The Saudi Green Initiative provides a clear road map for achieving a more sustainable economy, he added.

Abdullah Aljumah, general manager at the Riyadh-based First Saudi Contracting Co., says environmental initiatives in the medical sector are integral to sustainable development and social responsibility.

The use of environmentally friendly materials, especially those that are biodegradable and low-toxic, also contributes to reducing negative environmental impacts, he told Arab News.

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Aljumah wants to see more support for research aimed at improving medical technologies and reducing their environmental impacts. Such initiatives, he says, are critical to balancing effective healthcare and environmental conservation.

To make these ambitions a reality, however, waste management firms will require sufficient investment and proper regulation.

Sultan Al-Harthi, executive director of corporate communications at Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Waste Management, known as MWAN, said that the center is promoting investment opportunities in the waste management sector.




Sultan Al-Harthi. (Supplied)

“MWAN aims to enable investors to access hundreds of lucrative investment opportunities in the waste management sector and to familiarize them with the regulatory and economic enablers provided by MWAN and other stakeholders to support the feasibility and success of these projects,” Al-Harthi told Arab News.

Over the past three years, MWAN has developed a comprehensive strategic master plan for the waste sector to build the required infrastructure based on fundamental circular economy principles.

“We’re encouraging innovative initiatives and building the necessary capacities to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” said Al-Harthi.




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“This is accomplished through extensive training programs, awareness campaigns, and initiatives promoting sustainable and circular waste management practices.”

He added: “We’ve focused on capacity building for workers across the waste management system in all sectors — government, private, and non-profit. Simultaneously, we’re increasing public awareness to achieve the sector’s objectives.

“We’re working side by side with our partners to offer integrated waste management solutions. Our goal is to enhance the capacity of private sector companies to channel investments towards environmental, economic, and social sustainability.”
 

 


Saudi art exhibition set for global debut

Updated 15 October 2024
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Saudi art exhibition set for global debut

RIYADH: The Museums Commission has announced plans to launch a landmark exhibition on the art of the Kingdom to bring Saudi contemporary work to the global stage.

The exhibition will tour several countries, introducing international audiences to the vibrant art scene in Saudi Arabia and showcasing the nation’s most prominent contemporary artistic endeavors.

The exhibition is set to debut in Brazil this November to coincide with the G20 Summit. This will ensure that Saudi art is showcased to a global audience during one of the world’s most significant international events.

Following its inauguration in Brazil, the exhibition will return to Riyadh, where it will be hosted at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art in the Jax district in early 2025.

The exhibition will then travel to Beijing, where it will be presented at the National Museum of China toward the end of 2025.

The exhibition’s inaugural event in Brazil will feature works by about 15 Saudi artists, representing diverse genres and generations.

The artists will contribute installations, sculptures, oil paintings and drawings that reflect the richness and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene.

By organizing the exhibition, the Museums Commission aims to empower and promote Saudi artists by providing them with an international platform to display their creativity.

The initiative also seeks to elevate the Kingdom’s cultural profile on the world stage and highlight its growing influence in the global arts and culture arena.


Baha workshop explores ecotourism, forest management

Updated 15 October 2024
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Baha workshop explores ecotourism, forest management

  • The aim is to create a sustainable action plan for the Al-Khala and Al-Ghouqa forests
  • This effort is part of a broader study to assess and develop national forests

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification held a workshop recently in Baha focused on plans to carry out a social and economic survey of communities living near forests.

The aim is to create a sustainable action plan for the Al-Khala and Al-Ghouqa forests and evaluate ecotourism opportunities in the areas. This effort is part of a broader study to assess and develop national forests.

The gathering was held in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and local communities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

During the workshop the center’s delegation met with tribal leaders, representatives, and members of environmental organizations to emphasize the community’s vital role in forest conservation.

The workshop included an explanation of the social and economic survey methodology and field visits to the targeted sites, the SPA reported.

The goal is to understand the perspectives of local communities on the surrounding forests and explore their potential contributions to sustainable management.

This includes identifying agricultural and pastoral practices to determine the most effective community involvement in the protection and rehabilitation of local forests.


KSrelief distributes food boxes, shelter kits in Syria and Gaza Strip

Updated 15 October 2024
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KSrelief distributes food boxes, shelter kits in Syria and Gaza Strip

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has distributed 1,832 food boxes and hygiene kits in Salqin and Azmarin of Idlib Governorate in Syria, as well as 1,396 food parcels and hygiene kits in Jandairis of Aleppo Governorate

The assistance is part of the second phase of a project entailing providing aid to people affected by the earthquake in northern Syria in 2024, state news agency SPA reported.

At the Gaza Strip, shelter kits were handed out in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah in cooperation with the UN’s refugee agency as part of Saudi Arabia’s continued support for the Palestinian people.


Deal signed to tackle waste during Riyadh Season

Updated 15 October 2024
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Deal signed to tackle waste during Riyadh Season

  • This collaboration aims to raise public awareness about reducing waste and foster stronger community partnerships

RIYADH: The General Entertainment Authority has partnered with the Grace Preservation Foundation to promote sustainability and food preservation during Riyadh Season 2024.

This collaboration aims to raise public awareness about reducing waste, foster stronger community partnerships, and enhance the third sector's contribution to the economy, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

As part of the agreement, the foundation will lead various initiatives, including a media campaign on preserving resources, a pavilion to promote awareness, and efforts to collect and distribute surplus food in collaboration with local associations.

Promotional content on waste reduction, environmental protection, and sustainability will also be featured throughout Riyadh Season.

Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman bin Saeed, the foundation’s secretary-general, highlighted the significance of such partnerships in supporting the food preservation sector’s community goals.


Saudi crown prince attends weekly Cabinet meeting

Updated 15 October 2024
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Saudi crown prince attends weekly Cabinet meeting

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended on Tuesday the weekly Cabinet meeting. 

The Cabinet addressed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts on the political and humanitarian levels to contribute to the current situation in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, as well as the repercussions of the ongoing events ion Lebanon, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

It also discussed Saudi efforts of launching an air bridge to the Lebanese people to support them in facing these critical circumstances.

During the meeting, it was announced that the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve has been included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Green List, in addition to the Ibex Reserve Protected Area, which is located south Riyadh.  

This comes in line with the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts in the field of environmental conservation.