Circular Economy in water - Saudi Arabia's Approach to Sustainability

The Circular Economy in Water aims to maximize the value and lifespan of water through reducing, reusing, and recycling it – ultimately helping conserve resources, cut costs, and minimize environmental impact. Unlike the traditional “use and dispose” model, a circular approach treats wastewater as a resource that can be reused in various sectors, from agriculture to industrial processes and to the potable reuse.

The circular economy plays a vital role in sustainability by transforming the traditional "take-make-dispose" approach into a system that minimizes waste, conserves resources, and maximizes the lifespan of materials. Rather than constantly extracting new resources, a circular economy emphasizes reducing, reusing, and recycling – keeping products, materials, and resources in circulation for as long as possible.

Some of the Global circular economies in water are found in Singapore, Namia for drinking water reuse, Spain for agriculture reuse in large scale.

The circular economy in water helps reduce the environmental footprint and create resilient water systems. This model offers a viable solution for water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia, supporting sustainable development, food security, and a greener future for all. By adopting circular water practices, we can turn wastewater from a problem into a valuable asset, ensuring access to this critical resource for generations to come.

Circular Water Initiatives in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, is investing in circular water practices to ensure sustainable access.

The Ministry of Environment‚ Water‚ and Agriculture (MEWA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is responsible for regulating and implementing all aspects of the Kingdom’s policies in the environment‚ water‚ and agriculture sectors. The Ministry implements environmental‚ water‚ and agricultural plans and programs at the national level‚ with a focus on sustainability and value creation. Its contribution to the national economy has increased through various programs‚ especially in food security‚ water provision‚ and environmental protection.

Ministry of Environment‚ Water‚ and Agriculture has prepared three reports on technology adoption in its sectors (water, Environment and Agriculture) in the Kingdom which aims to identify ready technologies contributing to solving sectoral challenges in the Kingdom.

Ministry surveyed an extensive list of available technology and innovation solutions and refined them based on several criteria. From this‚ the Ministry generated a list of technologies and innovations that are ready for adoption and scaling up.

In Saudi Arabia the two most advanced circular economy approach were adopted by NEOM and RED Sea.

ENOWA‚ a leader in NEOM’s sustainable energy and water initiatives‚ is spearheading the Membrane Crystallization System project to revolutionize mineral extraction from desalination brine.

The Red Sea tourism initiative incorporates renewable-powered desalination and aims for zero discharge, showcasing sustainable water management.

An example of adding value includes using the salt extracted from seawater to make potable water. ENOWA, NEOM’s energy and water company, signed an MoU with ITOCHU and Veolia to build a state-of-the-art desalination plant. It will run on 100% renewable energy to power a high-recovery reverse osmosis process producing separate brine streams in addition to desalinated water. Brine, which is usually considered a waste output of desalination, will be used to produce significant quantities of valuable industrial materials that can be used locally or exported internationally, so they are monetized downstream.

“There is a lot of work going on to investigate the extraction of materials from what was previously seen as effluent,” said Gavin van Tonder, ENOWA’s Executive Director of Water. “The benefit of this is huge when it comes to circular economy and sustainability, but it’s also an opportunity to further expand the value chain by deploying cleaner ways to develop and create high-demand products.” - IDRA

One example of this is using the brine to create gypsum which is converted to Gyprock and Gypsum board and is an additive to cement, all which will be used in The Line – NEOM’s vertical city. Local production reduces the need for imports which also decreases associated transportation. Another product extracted through the desalination process is potassium, used to create fertilizers for both landscaping and agriculture. Salt is a major product that can be produced and can be sold, converted to Potash for glass manufacturing and chlorine for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). And by producing these items with renewable energy creates a sustainable clean chemical and mineral industry.

Desalination isn’t the only area that is a focus. NEOM is also exploring options for wastewater, a waste product that is generally not recycled. “Around 80% of the world doesn’t reuse wastewater. If we’re going to challenge the norm, the first aspect is that we recycle 100% and convert solid waste to energy and useful products like fertilizer” van Tonder said.

Recycling and reuse models are a big part of the circular economy. There’s a pretty big reduction in both emissions and waste if more materials are recycled. “That’s the first thing; it makes your emissions balance sheet better,” says Bloomberg

Key Benefits of Circular Economy for Sustainability

1. Resource Conservation: By using resources more efficiently.

2. Waste Reduction: By designing products for durability, repairability, and recyclability.

3. Lower Carbon Emissions: Circular practices, like using recycled materials or renewable energy, help cut greenhouse gas emissions, supporting climate goals and reducing the global carbon footprint.

4. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Emphasizing reuse, refurbishment, and recycling fosters innovation, new business models, and green jobs, boosting economic resilience and local employment.

Actions you can take at a personal level to support the circular economy in water and promote sustainability:

1. Reduce Water Use

2. Reuse and Recycle Water

3. Choose Sustainable Products

4. Advocate and Educate

5. Conserve Energy

6. Properly Dispose of Waste

By adopting these small but impactful habits, you can actively support water conservation and a circular economy in water, creating a ripple effect for sustainability at a larger scale.

 The circular economy is a powerful pathway to sustainability, creating a regenerative system that benefits both people and the planet, paving the way for a more resilient, low-impact future.

Benefits of a Global Circular Water Economy

- Resilience to Water Scarcity: Circular water systems ensure more reliable water availability, even in drought-prone or densely populated areas.

- Climate Mitigation: Circular water practices, such as energy recovery from wastewater, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

- Economic Efficiency: Reducing water waste and reusing water lowers operational costs, benefiting both industries and communities.

The global shift to a circular water economy represents a vital step toward sustainable water management, aiming to protect water resources, support economic development, and build resilience in the face of climate change.

Achieving a 100% circular economy in NEOM is an ambitious yet theoretically achievable goal, particularly given the project’s unique scale, advanced planning, and commitment to sustainability. 

 Challenges to 100% Circularity

1. Desalination Byproducts: NEOM’s reliance on desalination to meet water needs presents challenges, particularly the management of brine, a byproduct of desalination that, if not handled sustainably, can have environmental impacts.

2. Economic Viability: While Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in NEOM, scaling and maintaining expensive circular systems (like waste-to-energy plants and high-tech recycling facilities) may require ongoing investment and innovation to remain viable in the long term.

3. Behavioral and Cultural Shifts: Achieving full circularity will require the engagement of NEOM’s future residents and workforce to adopt circular practices, such as reducing waste and recycling. Continuous education and incentives will be crucial.

 Likelihood of Success and Global Impact

While achieving a "100% circular" economy may have technical and practical limits, NEOM could reach a high level of circularity, setting a global standard for sustainable urban design and inspiring similar projects worldwide.

If NEOM can achieve near-total circularity, it could position itself as a living laboratory for circular economy practices in water, waste, and energy, influencing future urban developments around the world.