FeaturedKuwait News

New recycling plants in Kuwait to address construction waste crisis

The amount of construction waste currently generated in the country is alarmingly high—estimated at 14.1 thousand tons per day, or five million tons annually, based on the average statistics from the past five years.

The Council of Ministers approved Kuwait Municipality’s plan to partner with local and foreign private sectors to establish new recycling factories, as current facilities cannot handle the growing construction waste exceeding 2,000-2,500 tons per day.

The goal of new construction waste recycling factories includes protecting the ecosystem and public health, preserving resources, creating jobs, reducing landfill costs, encouraging private sector involvement, and producing high-quality materials to reduce imports.

 

The Council of Ministers has approved Kuwait Municipalitys plan to collaborate with both local and foreign private sectors in establishing major factories for recycling and processing solid and liquid construction waste, aiming to address the growing volume of waste that exceeds the capacity of current recycling plants, according to Al-Qabas newspaper.

The document, seen by the newspaper, revealed that the State of Kuwait has experienced significant urban development in recent years, accompanied by numerous construction projects such as building, demolition, restoration, and maintenance. The increased pace of these operations has been linked to population growth. As a result, vast amounts of construction waste have accumulated, creating a major environmental challenge faced by countries worldwide.

Construction waste is defined, according to Ministerial Decree 354 of 2023 on the Municipal Waste Regulation and Public Hygiene, as waste resulting from the demolition of buildings and structures, as well as waste generated by the construction of new buildings, the restoration and maintenance of existing ones, and any other construction residues from various projects.

Kuwait faces growing environmental challenge with five million tons of construction waste annually

The document noted that, according to statistics compiled by the Municipality of Kuwait, the amount of construction waste currently generated in the country is alarmingly high—estimated at 14.1 thousand tons per day, or five million tons annually, based on the average statistics from the past five years.

The sources pointed out that the amount of construction waste exceeds the operational capacity of the currently operating recycling factories, which range between 2,000 and 2,500 tons per day per factory, necessitating the establishment of new factories to recycle this waste.

They also noted that the Municipal Council has identified areas totaling 1.25 million square meters for the projects. These areas include one million square meters located in the north of the country, specifically along Salmi Road, where factories dedicated to recycling solid construction waste will be built. The other site, located south of Kuwait along the military road, will be allocated for recycling liquid waste, with an area of 250,000 square meters.

Setting up new factories to recycle construction waste

The document emphasized that the goal of establishing new factories to recycle construction waste will have positive effects on the state, including the following:

  1. Protection of the ecosystem and public health.
  2. Preservation of natural resources and prevention of pollution, such as contamination of groundwater and soil.
  3. Maximizing the use of all construction waste through the latest technologies, reducing structural waste to the lowest possible rate.
  4. Creation of job opportunities for nationals.
  5. Reduction of the high costs incurred by the state for rehabilitating waste landfill sites.
  6. Encouragement of private sector participation in state development projects, fostering national industries and attracting foreign investment to strengthen the local economy.
  7. Achieving economic returns by producing construction materials of global quality, meeting the specifications approved by relevant authorities in the country, which will help reduce the import of building materials from abroad.

Feasibility studies for new construction waste treatment projects

In this regard, Al-Qabas newspaper learned that Kuwait Municipality has completed preparations for a study of consulting services for feasibility studies related to new construction waste treatment projects.

A number of local and international consulting companies are expected to compete for the project, which is likely to be completed within six months from the final award date, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Audit Bureau.

Kuwait Municipality emphasized that the consultant chosen to prepare advisory services for the feasibility study of new construction waste treatment projects must meet the general requirements outlined below:

  • First: Provide a statement of the services to be delivered, their potential for viable investment, and the expected return for the state, including the environmental and social impact of the services.
  • Second: Study the best options for offering the project in accordance with Law 116 of 2014 on public-private partnerships, or explore other methods of offering.
  • Third: Determine the project’s shelf life and its potential for future expansion.
  • Fourth: Prepare a detailed feasibility study addressing the technical, environmental, social, economic, and legal aspects.

Project feasibility

Kuwait Municipality has asked the consultant to assess the compatibility of the project with the future development plans of the State of Kuwait through the following criteria:

  1. Contribution of the project to the Municipality of Kuwait’s strategy and vision.
  2. Feasibility evaluation of the project for the private sector, while assessing its capability to implement such projects.
  3. Determining the expected life of the project and its ability to meet the state’s needs throughout its duration.
  4. Government sector criteria, such as the impact of the project on job creation, per capita income, and the national economy.

Banks desire for financing

Kuwait Municipality emphasized that the consultant should conduct a market test for the project structure and financing requirements to assess the commercial viability of the project.

The consultant is also expected to gather feedback from investors, potential developers, and banks through workshops, video presentations, and interviews to understand the interest of private sector investors in the project and the willingness of banks to finance recycling initiatives.

Types of construction waste

Construction waste varies and includes materials such as iron, concrete, aluminum, and others. The type, quantity, and source of waste differ from one construction site to another. Some of this waste may contain hazardous materials, such as lead, asbestos, and flammable substances.

New construction waste treatment project sites

  • Northern region of Kuwait: The site along SalmiRoad, with an area of one million square meters, was allocated by the Municipal Council to serve the northern region. A 500,000-square-meter area within this site will be designated for the project.
  • Southern region of Kuwait: Located along the Al-Artal Military Road, north of the emergency station for liquid waste treatment, with an area of 250,000 square meters.


Read Today's News TODAY...
on our Telegram Channel
click here to join and receive all the latest updates t.me/thetimeskuwait






Back to top button