Innovative waste management in Oman

Oman

Tariq Al Amri, CEO of Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah), talks to The Energy Year about the evolving demand for waste management services in Oman and how the company’s waste-to-energy projects are delivering a more sustainable future for the country. be’ah is responsible for undertaking and promoting effective waste management in Oman.

Given the positive momentum Oman’s oil and gas value chain is experiencing, how do you see the opportunities and demand for waste management services evolving?
With Oman’s economy heavily reliant on its oil and gas sector, the need for effective waste management services in this industry has never been more critical. As the country moves towards achieving its Vision 2040 sustainable development goals, it presents a unique opportunity for waste management services in the industry. Be’ah recognises the significance of this and is working with major stakeholders in the sector to provide comprehensive waste management services that adhere to international standards.
With the growing demand for sustainable practices and increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact, it is important for the oil and gas sector to manage its waste in a responsible and sustainable manner. be’ah offers a wide range of services to support this, including the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste generated by the sector.
Furthermore, be’ah is committed to ensuring that its waste management practices align with the circular economy concept by promoting the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. Through this approach, valuable resources can be recovered and reused, thus contributing towards Oman’s overall sustainability goals.

What were the drivers behind the company’s establishment and what are its current waste-to-energy projects?
be’ah was established in 2007 to support the National Strategy Report’s cohesive plan laid out in 2006 for promoting proper waste management practices in Oman. Our mission is to drive the effective use of resources, develop adequate infrastructure, and implement sustainable goals to make a lasting impact on the country’s future.
As an organisation operating under the Oman Investment Authority, we are responsible for managing municipal, industrial and healthcare waste in the country. Our services span the waste management process from collection to disposal, catering to both the private and public sectors.
At be’ah, we are taking a multi-pronged approach to waste-to-energy solutions. One of our ongoing engagements is the construction of a waste-to-energy plant in collaboration with the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP). This project aims to reduce landfilling and divert waste through waste-to-energy conversion. As the supplier of feedstock, be’ah will continue to play an important role in various projects.
Additionally, we are currently exploring biogas plant projects with potential strategic partners. These plants will treat organic waste to generate electricity, contributing to Oman’s sustainable energy goals. Our strategic plan involves supporting the development of multiple biogas plants across the sultanate.
As an organisation, we are committed to achieving our goals and improving the perception of our brand. By continuing to innovate and expand our waste-to-energy solutions, we hope to promote sustainable waste management practices and make a positive impact on the environment and society.

What do you think are the main financial challenges and risks in operating waste-to-energy and biofuels plants?
be’ah has encountered financial constraints and budget cuts across many sectors, posing challenges to its operations. However, the government of Oman has been supportive and has worked to ensure that plans for a sustainable future move forward despite the challenging economic landscape. To remain on track, be’ah has adopted innovative measures.
One of the biggest financial challenges facing waste-to-energy projects is reaching a balanced and feasible pricing mix between the sales of electricity and the waste gate fees that ultimately sets the project up to be financially sustainable. The feasibility of such projects has to extend beyond the simple financial parameters to include wider economic and environmental benefits as well.

Given the government’s plans to increase power generation from renewables to 30% by 2030, what will be the role played by waste management companies in the power sector?
Energy-from-waste is considered a component of the energy mix, advancing the circular economy efforts. As we move towards more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, the waste management sector will play a central role in providing reliable power generation in spite of its lower level of energy contribution as compared to the others.
Given the increasing demand for clean energy, investments in the waste management sector are essential for achieving Oman’s energy mix and decarbonisation goals, as well as facilitating sustainable power generation. Such investments are sound choices that will not only aid in meeting climate goals but also contribute to the development of a sustainable and resilient economy.

Could you give us a concrete example of materials you are already treating and managing that are used to increase the supply of power in Oman?
be’ah is taking concrete steps to promote the use of waste as alternative fuel, in collaboration with Oman Cement Company. This pioneering project, which involves the use of fuels derived from end-of-life tyres, marks a major milestone in the sultanate’s efforts to transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. This project serves as a model for future initiatives that can be leveraged to reduce Oman’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of alternative energy sources, contributing to the country’s energy security and decarbonisation goals.

What are the main initiatives put forward by be’ah to promote a more circular economy and what are the company’s steps ahead to support Oman’s decarbonisation?
To promote a more circular economy, be’ah advocates for a system designed and purposed to be restorative and regenerative to ensure either minimal or no waste ends up in landfills. Our initiatives promote the “4Rs” concept – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover – as the key approach to waste management. Here, the objective is to prevent waste generation and promote the reuse of waste, recovery and recycling. The core principle of our waste diversion strategy is that “waste is a resource” and this drives the diversion of reusable or recyclable waste away from landfills.
We also work towards raising awareness about the use of non-recyclable waste and ensuring that treatment and disposal of waste have no adverse impact. These strategies have the potential to create a circular economy by recovering value from waste to reduce our carbon footprint and GHG emissions while backing the decarbonisation process of the country, in line with Oman Vision 2040.
In addition to the waste-to-energy and biogas projects, we have successfully decommissioned Cell 1 of Barka landfill and have also closed the first cell in Al Multaqa landfill. Now plans are under way to capture methane gases from closed cells for electricity generation. Another example of the efforts made to ensure adaptation of the circular economy concept is the safe disposal of PET bottles through reverse vending machines (RVMs) for the collection of used PET bottles. The initiative comes in a bid by the company to integrate the recycling culture, recover the value of materials, and reduce the produced quantities of waste.

Can you provide us with insights on your collaboration with the Environment Authority to review Oman’s laws on waste management?
be’ah has established a strong collaborative relationship with the Environment Authority to enhance waste management practices in Oman. Together, we are actively advocating for the review and enhancement of waste management laws to ensure that they align with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy.
Through this collaboration, we aim to establish a legislative framework that sets higher legal standards for the collection, transportation, recovery, treatment and disposal of waste in the country. By doing so, we can create a sustainable and integrated waste management ecosystem that effectively manages waste and promotes a cleaner and greener environment for all.

How will a new regulatory framework affect your capabilities and what impact will it have on SMEs?
A new and robust regulatory framework is crucial to build on be’ah’s capabilities in waste management. The new laws would ensure that steps are taken to prevent or reduce waste production, increase waste recovery and promote the use of waste as an energy source. This aligns with our company’s focus, and we anticipate greater uptake for our services. With a well-defined regulatory framework, everyone in Oman would have a sense of ownership and understanding of our services and waste management best practices.
Moreover, the proposed legal environment would significantly benefit SMEs by unlocking investment opportunities in the environmental sector and creating service provision opportunities for SMEs along the waste management value chain. For instance, be’ah’s strategy emphasises supporting Oman’s economy by outsourcing its operations and encouraging private-sector initiatives to collect and process recyclable waste. Therefore, a regulatory framework in waste management would open new opportunities for SMEs, contributing to economic development.

What capacities will your soon-to-be-launched laboratory have and from which sector do you expect the highest demand for testing services?
The be’ah laboratory has been designed and constructed according to international standards and equipped with cutting-edge technology to become a reference laboratory for best waste management practices. It aims to provide a comprehensive solution for various types of industrial waste generated from different sectors, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, electricity and agriculture. By receiving a range of samples, such as liquid and solid samples, leachate samples, groundwater samples, chemicals and hydrocarbons samples, the lab can ensure safe handling and treatment in line with international standards.
The lab’s services can be instrumental in helping different industries in Oman meet their environmental compliance requirements. By providing accurate and reliable assessments, the lab can support these industries in implementing best practices for waste handling and treatment, which can result in improved environmental performance and reduced negative impacts on public health. In turn, this can contribute to Oman’s sustainable development goals and promote a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

How will technological developments and digitalisation in the energy industry impact the production of electronic waste?
The rapid growth in technology and digitalisation has led to the production of vast amounts of electronic and electrical equipment, which unfortunately often end up as waste at the end of their lifecycle. This waste, commonly known as WEEE, contains hazardous substances and toxic chemicals that require proper handling, transportation, storage, and treatment to prevent serious environmental threats.
To address this issue, be’ah has developed a comprehensive plan to quantify the amount of WEEE in the market, estimate the quantity of WEEE expected to be generated in the upcoming period, and identify appropriate storage and disposal sites. We have also been collaborating with major stakeholders and generators to ensure safe storage and disposal of WEEE. In addition, we are working towards establishing a WEEE recycling facility that will channel all the WEEE generated through the proper flow to reduce its impact on the environment.
Our goal is to ensure that the recycling process is efficient and safe, adhering to international standards, and to promote the safe disposal and treatment of WEEE through awareness-raising campaigns. By doing so, we can help to mitigate the negative impact of WEEE on the environment and protect the health and safety of Oman’s citizens.

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