Construction waste — from a burden to an economic resource

Observer

17-05-2025

Muscat: Using recycled construction waste could become a norm that also provides opportunities for SMEs. This was stated during the two-day conference organised by the Environment Authority (EA) in coordination with be'ah where various aspects of recycling construction waste were discussed.
The two-day workshop titled "Environmental Sustainability of Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Challenges and Opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman" had experts and decision-makers from government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions and research centres participating in strategic discussions, reviewing the current state of demolition and construction waste. This waste is one of the most prominent environmental challenges facing the Sultanate of Oman due to the rapid urban growth witnessed.
The workshop focused on exploring potential opportunities to transform this waste from an environmental burden into a promising economic resource that can be leveraged within the circular economy system. This aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to achieve the sustainable use of natural resources and promote a circular economy, ultimately creating new job opportunities.
Speaking to the Observer, Shadia bint Saleh al Hashmiyah, Senior Manager for Special Waste Stream Operations at be'ah, stated that they are currently operating a good number of sites, nine in total, from which they are obtaining valuable products being utilised in the market. They produce different products such as sand and aggregates.
"We do face challenges. There are entities that are aware that instead of depleting natural resources, we can use recycled materials to enhance our sustainability," Shadia said.
The main challenge is the lack of awareness among people, including some government entities, local contractors and other parties, regarding the utilisation of this waste.
Shadia emphasised the need for clear regulations on the utilisation of this waste.
"I think this is one of the biggest challenges. This is why bringing everyone together here is important; and we hope to align on the challenges and utilise this waste to preserve natural resources," she noted.
Out of 32 construction/demolition sites, nine are processing the waste and producing valuable products. These nine sites are distributed around the country including Al Batinah South, Al Batinah North, Dhofar, Al Duqm, etc. The recycled products are seen as a great opportunity for SMEs.
"We are currently working with SMEs and incubators; and they are doing very well. The challenge is that SMEs need to have the technical know-how of processing the waste. However, SMEs are very much a part of the journey," she emphasised.
Another challenge is the illegal dumping often seen on mountain tops and other sites. "be'ah manages the waste when it comes to us. It is challenging because the waste is not reaching us, but it is a problem for the country itself," she said.
The workshop addressed several vital topics, including the current legislative and regulatory framework; and its associated challenges, the environmental and economic impacts of indiscriminate dumping of construction and demolition waste, a review of regional and international experiences in treatment and recycling, innovation in modern technologies, promising investment opportunities in the sector; and ways to enhance public-private partnerships.
The outcome of the workshop hoped to contribute to supporting the transition to a more efficient and sustainable economy, consolidating the Sultanate of Oman's position as a pioneer in adopting advanced environmental solutions that achieve sustainable development goals and support strategies for adapting to future challenges.