KAUST_SDG_Report_21_22_2 | Page 29

Managing waste sustainably
KAUST startup Edama , which transforms organic waste into compost for desert agriculture needs , inaugurated a new industrial composting facility at KAUST in 2022 . Located in the KAUST Research and Technology Park , the facility is the first of its kind in the Kingdom and aims to recycle 100 % of the university ’ s food and green waste , producing about 4,500 m3 of high-quality soil improver with great benefits for local sandy soils . The composting plant will allow KAUST to divert close to 60 % of its total waste from the landfill , while creating a valuable product for KAUST landscaping needs .
KAUST has also advanced its waste management agenda towards zero waste to landfill operations by renewing its contract with waste management contractor Averda , which includes the construction of a full Materials Recovery Facility ( MRF ), aimed at recycling most of KAUST ’ s recyclable waste .
12.3 ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH
Waste to Art Inauguration ceremony of the new KAUST industrial composting facility
Averda ’ s recycling trucks at KAUST
Earth Day at KAUST , the
Facilities
Management-
Central
Services
team
partnered
with
Jeddahbased
artist
Meedo
Creisat
to
showcase
some of his waste-based
artwork . The “ Waste to Art ”
demonstrates
that some of the daily
throw-away
materials
can
be
transformed
into
playful ,
meaningful ,
and
thought-provoking
objects .
The
community
had
the
opportunity
to
admire
several
pieces ,
made
through
creative
techniques where textures and patterns are built up by
layering plastic strips , smashed cans and patches on top
of each other . School students from TKS also visited the
exhibition and had the chance to interact with the pieces ,
inspiring them to look at waste as just another material
to create what comes to their imagination . The exhibition
was part of several awareness activities from Earth Day
aimed to call for responsible consumption .
Supporting the Kingdom ’ s waste management agenda
KAUST announced in 2022 the signing of an MoU with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company ( SIRC ), a whollyowned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund ( PIF ). The collaboration solidifies SIRC ’ s commitment towards supporting KAUST startups , technology development projects , and other ongoing R & D to accelerate the transformation of the Kingdom ’ s waste recycling sector towards Vision 2030 goals . As the country rapidly shifts towards a greener economy , Saudi Arabia aims to divert 100 % of municipal solid waste and 85 % of industrial waste from landfills . As a national leader in sustainable technologies , KAUST aims to support SIRC with cutting edge solutions that promote resource circularity and waste valorization .
KAUST and SIRC sign MoU to develop Saudi Arabia ’ s infrastructure and advance the Kingdom ’ s national waste management agenda
Giving a new life to plastics
The Precious Plastic universe aims to become a global alternative recycling system through community engagement and sharing of knowledge on the reuse of plastic . As part of a continuous effort on raising awareness for responsible consumption and production , the KAUST Students for
Sustainability saw an opportunity to bring the platform to the KAUST community . In 2022 , the group created the KAUST Precious Plastic Project ( P3 ) and secured the necessary funding to purchase the required materials to give a new life to part of the plastic waste produced at KAUST . The project , which was endorsed and sponsored by faculty , waste management teams , and the Office of Sustainability , is currently in the final stages of procurement and space building and will be accessible to anyone with creative ideas and a drive to transform waste into valuable products .
Recycling at KAUST from Jan 2021 to Oct 2022

421

Metric Tonnes of Cardboard

264

Metric Tonnes of Metals

107

Metric Tonne of Paper

115

Metric Tonnes of Plastics

48,060

Litres of Oils
29 | KAUST SDG HIGHLIGHT REPORT