Solid waste management status made in Middle East Arab countries: a review

Over the past decades, solid waste production in Middle Eastern Arab countries has dramatically increased, characterised by several factors including rapid urbanisation, prevalent food waste practices, diverse culture, lack of planning for solid waste processes, insufficient equipment, and lack of funding. This review analyses the current solid waste trends by presenting specific details regarding solid waste statistics, including its sources, types, composition, recycling, and composting rates. Findings reveal that organic matter constitutes approximately 50%–65% of the total solid waste, which directly reflects the social behaviour of communities. In addition, income level is a key factor influencing waste generation, as higher-income countries tend to produce more waste per capita. The review highlights the efforts of the Arab governments, which mainly consist of several pilot projects that are not sustainable or effective in the long term. It is recommended that proper disposal and collection plans be prioritised in municipality’s agendas. In addition, the development and continuous monitoring of treatment, recycling, and composting facilities should leverage the high organic waste content. Furthermore, strengthening co-operation between the informal sector, private companies, and governments is essential to achieving long-term sustainability in the solid waste management sector in the Middle East and North Africa region.