With one of the highest waste-generation rates in the world, Qatar has a long way to go to improve its environmental record.

Ministry of Environment officials say issuing standards on how to manage some 20,000 tons of waste produced daily by the construction industry is one of the first steps it is taking in a major “green” push, and ahead of opening a large-scale recycling plant.

The Peninsula newspaper quotes Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratories and Standards Affairs at the Ministry, as saying:

“Some 40 to 50 per cent of the solid waste generated in the country can be effectively recycled and reused. To provide a legal basis for management of waste, we are working on setting standards and specifications for used and recycled material.”

Those standards are due out next month.

What do you think? Is Qatar moving fast enough on environmental issues, or does a lot more need to be done? 

Credit: Photo by Michael Fawcett