Mesaieed: Amid the increasing environmental challenges facing the region and the world, notably waste accumulation and natural resource depletion, recycling initiatives emerge as a strategic solution to promote sustainability and protect the Earth. In this context, the Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC) in Mesaieed is considered one of the main pillars working to turn challenges into opportunities by adopting advanced technologies to treat waste and transform it from an environmental burden into valuable resources that contribute to building an innovative circular economy.
According to Qatar News Agency, the centre plays a pivotal role in preserving the environment, starting with efficient waste sorting processes, through converting thousands of tons of organic materials, plastics, and metals into reusable materials, and ultimately contributing to achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 in the field of sustainable development. The centre began operations in 2011 and is managed by Singaporean firm Keppel Seghers under a 20-year contract. DSWMC is the first and largest waste management facility in the Middle East.
The centre has undergone several phases, beginning with the establishment and planning, which relied on precise environmental and engineering studies, followed by construction from 2006 to 2010 as a strategic project in Mesaieed. It comprises state-of-the-art waste sorting and management machinery, in addition to safe incinerators for energy production from waste and a composting production unit. The centre then moved to the trial operation phase, successfully planned and implemented, followed by continuous operation and maintenance. It currently receives waste daily for recycling and achieving the state’s sustainability goals.
The DSWMC in Mesaieed receives 2,200 tonnes per day and is designed exclusively for the disposal of non-hazardous domestic solid waste, including dead animals, green waste, and slaughterhouse wastes. In an interview, Director of Waste Recycling and Treatment Department at the Ministry of Municipality Eng. Hamad Jassim Al Bahr stated that a key objective of DSWMC is to provide environmental solutions that ensure sustainability, recover recyclable materials, and generate electricity, aiming for an integrated approach to achieving the goals of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy.
Eng. Al Bahr elaborated that the centre was established as a comprehensive waste-to-energy project, reflecting the country’s commitment to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on improving quality of life and ensuring resource sustainability. The centre includes facilities such as units for producing organic and green compost, a waste-to-energy conversion unit that powers the centre, and an engineered landfill for safe disposal of ash from incineration using environmentally friendly methods. It also features a sorting unit for recyclable materials.
Regarding the centre’s contribution to national goals, Eng. Al Bahr explained that its primary role lies in promoting environmental sustainability, processing waste in a manner that reduces reliance on traditional landfills and improves natural resource management. He emphasized DSWMC’s role in reducing the carbon footprint by converting waste into energy, thereby minimizing greenhouse gas emissions associated with uncontrolled burning or improper landfilling. The facility also practices energy conservation by operating on self-generated power from recycling operations.
Eng. Al Bahr highlighted the centre’s contribution to supporting the circular economy by reusing resources and minimizing waste. Sorted materials such as plastics and metals are distributed free of charge to recycling factories as part of an initiative to support the circular economy in the country. Since operations began in 2011, the centre has addressed the critical issue of domestic waste, which was previously only landfilled. He noted that amid rapid urban and economic development, especially over the past decade in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the centre successfully kept pace with flexible, pre-planned strategies to handle domestic waste from increased activity and population growth.
The centre achieved Zero Waste to Landfill for all waste generated from stadiums and associated facilities during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, an unprecedented achievement for sporting events of this scale, made possible by advance preparations during the Arab Cup 2020. The centre also set new standards for sustainable waste management for major events, including the Arab Cup 2020, FIFA World Cup 2022, and AFC Asian Cup 2023.
Eng. Al Bahr stated that a dedicated strategy was developed to manage waste from stadiums and event facilities, focusing on diverting waste from landfills to the treatment centre and maximizing material recycling rates. The centre receives household waste daily, transforming it into added value rather than an environmental or economic burden. Its compost production supports Qatar’s agricultural development, with compost used in agriculture, public parks, road landscaping, beautification projects, and distributed free of charge to citizens.
He described the operational mechanisms of the centre, which begins with receiving domestic waste from four transfer stations managed by the Ministry’s Waste Recycling and Treatment Department, collected by the Public Hygiene Department. This process covers all domestic waste generated across Qatar. The waste is compacted, loaded onto trucks, weighed, logged, and transported to the Mesaieed Management centre, which has received approximately 9 million tons of waste since its inception.
The centre produces green and organic compost, up to 40 tons/day, compost from domestic waste, up to 170 tons/day, and electricity, up to 48.8 megawatts/day, exported to the national grid. It generates biogas for electricity production and recovers recyclable materials such as plastics, ferrous metals, and non-ferrous metals.
Regarding future expansion, Eng. Al Bahr explained that the facility is designed to accept non-hazardous domestic solid waste, along with green waste and dead animals. Plans are underway to expand the centre’s capacity to handle between 2,500 and 3,000 tons per day. He affirmed ongoing efforts to collaborate with the private sector to develop the country’s waste management system.
Beyond its operational role, the Mesaieed Waste Management Centre also plays an educational role, promoting the culture of the circular economy and helping preserve resources for future generations. The centre stands as evidence that waste is no longer a burden, but an opportunity to shape a greener and more environmentally conscious future.