Recycling Innovation and Its Role in Strengthening Environmental Sustainability and Economic Diversification in Saudi Arabia

This paper was to be done based on a sample of 100 respondents in different parts of the Kingdom, to examine the importance of innovation in recycling as a source of environmental sustainability, and diversification of Saudi economy. The sample was designed as a highly educated group (82% with a bachelor’s degree or higher), with a professional interest in the sphere of environment and sustainability (42%), and employees of the private sector (50%). The findings indicated that the awareness of the environmental advantages of the recycling process was very high (mean 4.324.44) and that the necessity of recycling as an important instrument in the process of reaching the national sustainability objectives was strongly accepted. There is, however, a very sharp difference between knowledge and practice, and personal involvement in recycling and separation of materials is scored less (mean 3.383.58). This was attributed primarily because of lack of infrastructure and accessibility (mean 3.74 of this obstacle). In terms of economics, recycling technology innovation was considered to be of high-ranking as an economic diversification (4.26), job creation (4.10), and facilitation of small and medium enterprises development (4.02). The most positive scores were found in the environmental outcomes (4.304.42), with the willingness to adopt new practices being high in case the appropriate environment has been established (4.18). On governance, the participants felt the necessity to enhance implementation and enforcement mechanisms (3.48) and government incentives (3.86), whereas they applauded the issue of data transparency as a good element (4.12). The paper finds that recycling innovation is a two-fold strategic opportunity of the Saudi Arabian country, and it will need to enhance infrastructure, enhance implementation policies, and mobilize incentives, which will help in converting high awareness to actual practices that would lead to sustainability and economic diversification.