A British sustainability consultancy has won a contract to develop an integrated waste management strategy for the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Ricardo-AEA was chosen by Arriyadh Development Authority to help set the city of Riyadh’s waste policies for the next two decades. The largest city in Saudi Arabia and home to one-fifth of the population, the capital produces around eight million tonnes of waste every year from municipal, commercial, industrial and construction sectors.

Riyadh’s population is expected to double to around 8.3 million by 2030 and the city’s metropolitan area is being rapidly developed, which presents major environmental challenges as the generation of waste increases, according to Ricardo-AEA.

Dr Adam Read, resource efficiency and waste management practice director at Ricardo-AEA said: “We look forward to working closely with ArRiyadh Development Authority, its project stakeholders and industry, over the course of the project and rising to the waste management challenges the city of Riyadh faces. In doing so we aim to deliver the strategic support that will help to establish Riyadh firmly at the forefront of waste management best practice within the Middle East.”

The firm claims existing waste management infrastructure within the city of Riyadh is basic, with the open landfill facilities expected to reach full capacity in around six to seven years.