Oman’s towering skyline may be rising fast, but beneath the polished façades, an equally impressive transformation is taking place—one that’s breathing new life into mountains of rubble. In 2024 alone, the Sultanate diverted a staggering 2.4 million tonnes of construction and demolition debris away from quarries and landfills and into vibrant cycles of reuse.
At a packed two-day forum in Muscat, the Environment Authority (EA) and be’ah unveiled the numbers—and the vision. “Every tonne we recycle is one less tonne leached into our wadis or scattered across the desert,” noted Dr. Mohammed bin Saif al Kalbani, Director General of Environmental Affairs. His message? Building Oman’s future needn’t cost its natural beauty.
From ruins to Roadbeds
Imagine old concrete crushed into gravel for new roads or broken bricks ground to dust for reimagined masonry—this is no futuristic dream but today’s reality in Oman. Ten licensed recycling sites alone accounted for last year’s 2.4-million-ton haul, converting what once was waste into materials destined for everything from highway foundations to ornamental landscaping.
Why It Matters
Globally, construction and demolition waste accounts for nearly one-third of all solid waste—and Oman is determined to change that statistic. The achievement is supported by the National Waste Management Policy and the upcoming Waste Sector Law, which will establish tighter regulations, clearer technical standards, and attractive incentives for private-sector innovators.
Challenges on the Horizon
Yet, Dr. Kalbani sounded a note of caution: “We still see unregulated dumping—wadis are being dredged, soils spirited off without a trace.” He called for stricter enforcement and proposed that every major infrastructure project should include a portion of recycled materials—such as cement, asphalt, and crushed masonry.
A Circular Vision for 2040
All roads lead to Oman Vision 2040, a vision of balanced growth where economy and ecology coexist harmoniously. Workshop sessions dove into regional success stories—from Japan’s concrete reuse quotas to the EU’s “design for deconstruction” mandates—offering a treasure trove of ideas for Muscat’s planners and private partners.
As the sun sets over the Hajar Mountains, Oman’s waste transformation is only just beginning. With each crushed brick and repurposed beam, the sultanate edges closer to a greener, more sustainable tomorrow—proof that progress, when built on responsibility, truly stands the test of time.
