Plastic waste generated in the Kingdom annually is the equivalent to the weight of around 2 million cars, with individuals consuming an average of 40 kg of plastic bags each year, almost 20 times the global average according to European Union figures.
According to a recent report by the Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC), the Kingdom’s per capita plastic bag consumption is the highest in the region.
The report showed that the rate of consumption is double the consumption rate for other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, where increasing income levels and populations saw a sharp increase in consumption and waste.
Global individual consumption of plastic bags averages between 2-5 bags a day, or around 500 bags per year.
Bag production totals 600 billion a year, according to a recent European Union report on plastic bag consumption.
The Kingdom recently put forward a proposal to modify plastic products to reduce waste left by growing consumption.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization proposed a list of technical specifications and standards to govern the production of plastic bags and various materials that are commonly disposed of after a single-time use.
