The $6bn GCC plastic and metal waste recycling opportunity

摘要

GCC countries can generate commercial opportunities and jobs if they change their recycling practices.Every year,GCC countries produce around ten million tonnes of plastic waste,and nine million tonnes of scrap metal,with plastic and metal waste growing at much faster rates than the global average.A change in policy,leading to more plastic and metal recycling,would have positive economic and environmental effects.To recycle more,governments need to reinforce standards and guidelines,strengthen incentives and penalties,develop the operational ecosystem,and build the necessary capabilities and public awareness.At present,GCC countries recycle very little compared to developed economies such as Germany and Japan.On average,GCC countries only recycle,reuse,or recover around 10% of plastic and metal waste.Countries such as Germany,or Japan,which have embedded the concept of the circular economy into policy,can have recycling rates surpassing 90% for metal,and 40% for plastics(also reaching 90% for plastics including energy recovery).