Why Saudi Arabia is championing the responsible disposal of batteries and e-waste

Special Why Saudi Arabia is championing the responsible disposal of batteries and e-waste
Staff from the Fortech company in Cartago, Costa Rica, disassembles batteries from electric cars to recycle them. Fortech recycles lithium batteries from telephones, computers, electric cars and other items to sell the resulting materials for the construction of new batteries. (AFP)
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Updated 09 November 2024
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Why Saudi Arabia is championing the responsible disposal of batteries and e-waste

Why Saudi Arabia is championing the responsible disposal of batteries and e-waste
  • The improper disposal of batteries poses serious threats to human health, the environment, and public safety
  • Saudi Arabia has launched dedicated e-waste collections and awareness campaigns to encourage battery recycling

RIYADH: In today’s tech-driven society, electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is growing at an alarming rate, with batteries being a significant contributor to this environmental challenge.

The improper disposal of batteries poses serious threats to human health, the environment, and public safety. As Saudi Arabia adopts sustainable practices, addressing battery waste is viewed as a critical issue.

Batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy, allowing them to power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. While they are essential to modern life, they contain hazardous materials that, if improperly disposed of, can leach into the environment.

“Improper battery disposal can contaminate the air, water and soil as batteries contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury,” Dr. Sultan Meo, a professor and consultant at King Saud University’s Department of Physiology in Riyadh, told Arab News.

In a recent study, Meo reported that environmental pollution causes about 8.1 million deaths a year — more than 1 in 8 deaths globally — making it the second leading risk factor for early death, surpassed only by high blood pressure.

Lead is particularly harmful, especially to children. In fact, the World Health Organization lists it as one of the top ten chemicals of public health concern.

“Lead exposure is particularly harmful to children, as it can cause neurological disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, impaired memory, cognitive dysfunction, attention disorders, depression and anxiety,” Meo said.




Encouraging responsible disposal practices protects the environment and promotes community safety. (Shutterstock photo)

There is also a link between lead exposure and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction.

“Lead exposure causes systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis and thrombosis,” Meo added.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates that more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide were attributed to lead exposure in 2021, primarily due to cardiovascular effects. It has also been linked to reduced IQ in children.

The health risks extend beyond the heart and brain, however. Lead also reduces sperm count and motility, affecting male fertility, further highlighting the need for responsible disposal methods.

When batteries are discarded in landfills or mixed with regular waste, the impact on wildlife and ecosystems is immense. Chemicals from leaking batteries seep into the soil and waterways, poisoning plant and animal life and disrupting food chains.

The effects also trickle down to humans through contaminated water and food.

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electronics, are particularly hazardous. When damaged or mishandled, they can short-circuit and cause fires, both in landfills and recycling centers.




Physical damage to batteries can cause leaks of hazardous chemicals to the soil, which may eventually lead to toxins in the human body through food consumption, in addition, the leaks of chemicals can cause fire, especially lithium-based batteries. (AFP/File)

Fires in waste management facilities expose workers to dangerous toxins and can lead to larger environmental disasters.

To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to store batteries safely before disposal. Batteries should be kept away from flammable materials and handled carefully to avoid puncturing or crushing, which could result in hazardous leaks or explosions.

Saudi Arabia has committed to promoting environmental sustainability, including responsible e-waste management and recycling. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is implementing recycling programs and raising awareness about the importance of proper battery disposal.

In 2022, the Saudi government launched various initiatives aimed at enhancing recycling infrastructure, including dedicated e-waste collection points and awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to recycle batteries and other electronic waste properly.

The Saudi Investment Recycling Company is leading these efforts by building the Kingdom’s first integrated e-waste recycling plant.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Many retailers now offer e-waste recycling programs, making it easier to safely dispose of old batteries.

• Used batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from flammable materials, to prevent fire or leakage.

• Disposal instructions should be followed, especially for larger batteries used in industrial equipment or vehicles.

• Educating others about the risks of improper battery disposal helps to protect the environment and public health.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is also promoting initiatives that align with global standards for battery recycling, helping to mitigate the harmful effects of hazardous materials on the environment.

Saudi Arabia is also promoting circular economy principles — reducing waste, recycling materials and reusing valuable components from old batteries.

While infrastructure improvements are vital, public awareness of proper disposal methods is equally important.




Retailers and municipalities across Saudi Arabia are increasingly offering waste disposal facilities, but public engagement is key to their success.  (AN file photo)

Batteries should never be thrown in regular trash bins. Instead, consumers must be educated on using designated drop-off locations for battery recycling.

Retailers and municipalities across Saudi Arabia are increasingly offering these facilities, but public engagement is key to their success.

“Batteries should be recycled or disposed of properly at designated facilities to prevent fires and the release of toxic chemicals into the air, water and soil,” Meo said.

Through a combination of government initiatives, public awareness campaigns and individual action, the Kingdom is taking action on e-waste management.
 

 


Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek tri-border treaty and 'eternal friendship' pledge

Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek tri-border treaty and 'eternal friendship' pledge
Updated 35 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek tri-border treaty and 'eternal friendship' pledge

Saudi Arabia welcomes Tajik, Kyrgyz and Uzbek tri-border treaty and 'eternal friendship' pledge
  • Deal formalized the point where the three Central Asian countries’ borders meet in the mountainous Fergana Valley
  • Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated

 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed the border deal forged between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the Fergana Valley, a long-disputed region that has ignited bloody clashes.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom also congratulated the three Central Asian neighbors for signing a Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, wishing them “continued stability and prosperity.”

Saudi Arabia has maintained deep ties with Central Asian countries, even hosting the GCC Central Asian Investment Forum 2024 in May last year.

The border deal signed on Monday by presidents Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Sadyr Japarov Kyrgyzstan, formalized the point where their countries’ borders meet in the mountainous valley.

The densely populated region has been the scene of numerous conflicts — mainly for control of water that is running out in a region badly hit by climate change.

A map of the Fergana Valley. (Wikimedia Commons: Uwe Dedering)

The three leaders met several days before an EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan. Relations between the former Soviet republics, long strained by rivalries, have warmed recently.

Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated.

But in recent years, Central Asian countries have announced border agreements to regulate the sharing of water, facilitate trade and ensure the stability of this resource-rich region.

In the Tajik city of Khujand, the three presidents also called in similar statements for “reinforcing the cooperation between brotherly nations” — including in energy and transport.

The Tajik and Kyrgyz leaders also inaugurated a section of a joint high-voltage line to supply Pakistan and Afghanistan with energy produced by Central Asian hydroelectric power stations.

The summit follows the signing of border treaties in mid-March between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 2023.

(With AFP)

 

 

 


Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
Updated 01 April 2025
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Trump to visit Saudi Arabia in May, White House confirms

US President Donald Trump. (File/AFP)
  • Trip to Kingdom will be first foreign trip of president’s second term

RIYADH: US President Donald Trump is to visit Saudi Arabia in May, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The president will be heading to Saudi Arabia in May. As for specific dates and details, we will be reading those out to you as soon as we possibly can.”

The trip to the Kingdom will be the first foreign trip of Trump’s second term as president.

Regarding a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Leavitt said that Trump “has made it clear that’s what he wants to see” and “his team remains engaged on it every day.”

Saudi Arabia has hosted talks involving the US and Russia, and the US and Ukraine as Trump facilitates moves toward a ceasefire.


Saudi leadership offers condolences to ruler of Umm Al-Quwain after death of his mother

Saudi leadership offers condolences to ruler of Umm Al-Quwain after death of his mother
Updated 01 April 2025
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Saudi leadership offers condolences to ruler of Umm Al-Quwain after death of his mother

Saudi leadership offers condolences to ruler of Umm Al-Quwain after death of his mother

RIYADH: The leaders of Saudi Arabia offered their condolences to Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al-Mualla, the ruler of the emirate of Umm Al-Quwain in the UAE, following the death on Monday of his mother, Sheikha Hessa bint Hamid Al-Shamsi.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their heartfelt sympathies along with their prayers that God will grant eternal rest to Sheikha Hessa, as well as solace and strength for her family and loved ones during this time of sorrow.

Authorities in Umm Al-Quwain have declared three days of mourning in her honor.


Madinah Retreats: Culture, spirituality to power up the soul

The Madinah Retreats experience is usually hosted in a traditional farm resort surrounded by nature. (Supplied)
The Madinah Retreats experience is usually hosted in a traditional farm resort surrounded by nature. (Supplied)
Updated 01 April 2025
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Madinah Retreats: Culture, spirituality to power up the soul

The Madinah Retreats experience is usually hosted in a traditional farm resort surrounded by nature. (Supplied)
  • Paradigm shift blends wellness practices, cultural expeditions, spiritual experiences

JEDDAH: In the sacred embrace of Madinah, one of Islam’s holiest sites, a new culture-oriented wellness experience is offering a journey that integrates spirituality, culture, and heritage.

The inspiration behind Madinah Retreats stems from founder Moatassem Al-Bitar’s experience in the wellness and spiritual tourism industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Recognizing key gaps in traditional retreat models and leveraging Saudi Arabia’s tourism vision, he envisioned a paradigm shift that blends modern wellness practices, cultural expeditions, and spiritual experiences into a single journey.

Rehbah, where the first wellness retreat in Madina was held earlier in 2024. (Supplied)

With a background as a corporate culture change and people engagement manager, Al-Bitar has curated over 50 retreats across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the US, serving more than 400 participants.

His academic training spans diverse fields, including organizational behavior, Islamic spirituality, and intercultural studies.

Officially launched in 2024 after five years in the making, the initiative held its second retreat, under the theme “The Arrival,” earlier this year in Madinah.

FASTFACTS

• Madinah Retreats stems from founder Moatassem Al-Bitar’s experience in the wellness and spiritual tourism industry in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

• It blends modern wellness practices, cultural expeditions, and spiritual experiences into a single journey.

Al-Bitar told Arab News: “Every retreat we design starts with clear intentions and objectives, supplemented by a story and a theme that aligns with a particular destination.”

The retreats feature a collective of facilitators who work together toward a unified intention, ensuring a balanced and immersive experience.

“One of our main goals is to promote different destinations in Saudi Arabia that are perfectly ideal for wellness-centric experiences, in addition to its unmatched culturally enriching character,” Al-Bitar said.

“We seek to partner with pertinent governmental initiatives and entities that fulfill the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for wellness tourism and exceptional experiences.”

Al-Bitar explained that each retreat is meticulously structured around three core pillars: spirituality (meditative practices and inner reflection); culture (heritage site visits, traditional storytelling, and local experiences); and wellness (movement–based practices, mindfulness exercises, and healing foods).

By integrating these elements into daily programs, Madinah Retreats offers a journey tailored to the needs of participants and is a “philosophy of being rooted, real, and rich.”

The retreats target individuals and groups seeking genuine transformation in their well-being, spiritual connection, and cultural enrichment. They provide a safe and accepting space where participants are respected on their unique paths to healing.

Madinah, which is the spiritual capital of Islam, is popularly known as the Illuminated City. It offers an atmosphere of peace and rejuvenation, and its diverse topography and climate make it ideal for nature-based healing.

“Madinah is widely recognized as a destination where the heart feels at peace, the body feels rejuvenated, the mind feels clarity and the soul feels enriched,” said Al-Bitar. “The city’s rapid development and recognition as a top global tourism destination further enhance its appeal.”

The Madinah Retreats experience is usually hosted in a traditional farm resort surrounded by nature. Participants visit cultural and historic sites, explore the city’s vibrant social scene, and experience local cuisine, contemporary art, and community traditions.

“During the retreat we offer meditation, breathwork, self-reflection, yoga, tai chi, and other somatic therapies, creative expression as a healing tool, as well as locally sourced, nourishing meals,” Al-Bitar added.

The somatic practices guided by expert facilitators enhance body awareness and overall well-being.

Al-Bitar said: “Connecting with nature and animals has proven therapeutic benefits. Madinah Retreats incorporates nature-based and equine therapy to help participants reconnect with their original disposition, providing an irreplaceable form of healing.”

Cultural storytelling is also an essential component, allowing participants to explore the hidden wisdom of each landmark and understand local traditions and historic practices.

No prior experience in meditation or wellness practices is required, making the retreats accessible to all.

Honoring his Egyptian roots, Al-Bitar is expanding the retreats to Siwa, Egypt.

Siwa Oasis, nestled within a breathtaking desert landscape, is characterized by vast dunes, striking limestone outcrops, and distinctive geomorphological features that enhance its appeal as a tourist destination.

“The expansion to Siwa, Egypt, was inspired by the oasis’ 160-year-old tradition of reconciliation — Eid El-Solh, a celebration of harmony,” Al-Bitar said.

“Siwa’s natural healing elements, such as salt lakes, hot springs, and lush landscapes, mirror many of Madinah’s restorative qualities.”

Al-Bitar said that Madinah Retreats will also explore the Kingdom’s hidden gems by hosting retreats in Abha, Aseer, Al-Ahsa, and other locations rich in healing nature and cultural heritage.

Retreat prices range from SR5,000 ($1,333) to SR10,000, depending on the location, program, facilitators, transportation, and accommodation.

Madinah Retreats follows a collaborative model, partnering with local service providers, facilitators, and experts to provide an experience that remains true to the cultural essence of each destination.

Al-Bitar said: “Our content caters to people from different backgrounds, both English and Arabic speakers. Our agenda is characterized by being spacious and offers ample time for self-guided practices. Our way of delivery is strictly non-intrusive.”

Participants leave Madinah Retreats feeling “transformed, enriched, and connected to their most authentic selves.”

Al-Bitar said that the experience embodied the profound wisdom: “You presume you are a small entity, but within you is enfolded the entire universe.”

Madinah Retreats also provides a customized retreat model that caters to corporations and teams, as well as add-on visits such as expeditions in AlUla.

 


Albanian prime minister receives MWL chief in Tirana

Albanian prime minister receives MWL chief in Tirana
Updated 01 April 2025
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Albanian prime minister receives MWL chief in Tirana

Albanian prime minister receives MWL chief in Tirana
  • Rama expressed his appreciation for Al-Issa’s visit to Albania and for delivering the blessed Eid Al-Fitr sermon at the Grand Mosque of Tirana

TIRANA: Muslim World League Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa was recently received by Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama at his office in the capital city of Tirana.

Rama expressed his appreciation for Al-Issa’s visit to Albania and for delivering the blessed Eid Al-Fitr sermon at the Grand Mosque of Tirana, the league’s official account wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

During his visit to Albania, Al-Issa also visited the Islamic Community of Albania and met with its president and scholars to extend his congratulations on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.