Saudi Investment Recycling Company collaborates with Edama on organic waste and desert farming

The Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has formed a strategic alliance with Edama Organic Solutions, specialists in sustainable organic waste management. This partnership aims to launch a company committed to transforming organic waste recycling in Saudi Arabia, further propelling the national circular economy in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.

Ziyad Al-Shiha, CEO of the SIRC Group, remarked that organic waste recycling initiatives align with both the SIRC’s and the Kingdom’s broader objectives to curb harmful emissions. He expressed the group’s determination to champion the circular economy by forging partnerships and investments at both domestic and international levels. This initiative will focus on the implementation of best practices for agricultural waste recycling.

Dr. Sabrina Vettori, Edama’s CEO, highlighted the endeavor’s drive to develop eco-friendly solutions for environmental challenges. By leveraging scientific innovation, this project seeks to foster a more sustainable future for Saudi Arabia. Vettori underscored Edama’s anticipation for its collaboration with SIRC, which is expected to broaden recycling ventures and instigate transformative projects across the Kingdom.

The venture will also focus on developing innovative agricultural products, aiming to bolster local agricultural yield and endorse green initiatives, all while conserving vital water resources. Supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Edama employs its expertise in desert agriculture and plant sciences to devise products that optimize plant growth in dry climates. These advancements stand to enhance agricultural productivity, bolster local food security, and conserve water. While fertilization products are the main focus, research into products like biochar, organic materials, and microbial vaccines is ongoing.

Dr. Ian Campbell, KAUST’s acting Vice President for Innovation, expounded on the transformative potential of this initiative for organic waste management in Saudi Arabia, using specialized organic waste products and soil enhancements. He emphasized the importance of innovative waste management techniques to counteract the environmental and health repercussions of organic waste mismanagement. Campbell highlighted the initiative’s role in mitigating the environmental damage from open-air fertilizer storage, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, this venture addresses the challenges posed by the Saudi Green Initiative’s ambitious goals.

In collaboration with SIRC, Edama aims to raise the bar for desert agriculture practices, bolster local green initiatives, and decrease dependency on imported soil amendments. This partnership represents a substantial stride towards actualizing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and sculpting a sustainable societal future.

Both entities have a history of promoting sustainability. Founded in 2017, SIRC was envisioned to further the environmental aspirations of Vision 2030 and advocate for recycling and natural resource preservation. Edama, inaugurated in 2019 at KAUST, has been at the forefront of research and innovation, converting organic waste into resources for desert agriculture in congruence with the Kingdom’s sustainability aims.