Qatar has intensified efforts for a circular economy, amid increasing attention to sustainability, because of its importance in balancing economic growth and environmental conservation. The country has accorded top priority to sustainability in Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and its developmental strategies. As part of these efforts, Qatar hosted Expo 2023 Doha, which raised awareness for environmental conservation, changes in attitude and behaviour towards the environment. Qatar’s emphasis on promoting a culture of sustainability and environmental preservation is evident through its rigorous efforts in waste management and recycling. The recycling projects have enhanced Qatar’s circular economy by producing large quantities of clean energy and fertilisers from waste and converting recyclable materials into useful products. Recycling reduces consumption of natural resources, cuts carbon emissions, and plays a significant role in biodiversity preservation. It contributes to efforts aimed at fighting climate change and achieving a balance between human needs and environmental preservation for future generations. The country succeeded in recycling all the waste generated during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, achieving a 100 percent recycling rate was a significant milestone, making it the first time in the history of FIFA World Cup events. The Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre in Mesaieed, run by the Ministry of Municipality, produced over 245,000 megawatt-hours of electricity from waste in 2024. The ministry said on its X platform that over 40,000 tonnes of fertilisers were also produced from waste last year. The ministry has allocated 51 plots of land for recycling factories in Al Afjah. Located in the Mesaieed Industrial Area, Al Ajfa is being developed as a hub for the recycling industry to meet Qatar’s ambitious goals for sustainability and circular economy. Al Afja Area for Recycling Industries was established by Qatar to forge partnerships between government and the private sector in a bid to support the circular economy. The municipality is providing recyclable materials free of cost to recycling factories. The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) has highlighted the promising opportunities in investment in waste management and predicted that the model of the circular economy would bring enormous financial, social, and environmental benefits to Qatar, yielding an additional $17bn by 2030, corresponding to 10 percent of its GDP, and up to 19,000 new jobs by the same year.
