8.5 Million-Square-Metre Waste Processing City Planned for Mecca

Saudi Arabia is building a large-scale Waste Processing City south of Mecca as part of efforts to strengthen environmental services and support the growing needs of the holy city and surrounding pilgrimage sites.

The project, known as the Waste Processing City, is being developed across an area of 8.5 million square metres and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Authorities said the facility is designed to meet Mecca’s waste management requirements for up to 60 years, supporting the city’s long-term urban growth and the millions of pilgrims who visit annually for Hajj and Umrah.

The development forms part of broader initiatives to expand municipal and environmental infrastructure in and around the holy sites, ensuring services keep pace with rising visitor numbers and future urban expansion.

Alongside the new facility, authorities continue to maintain extensive waste management operations across Mecca and the pilgrimage areas. More than 13,000 sanitation workers are currently deployed throughout the city and the holy sites, supported by around 3,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment.

To help maintain cleanliness during peak pilgrimage seasons, approximately 88,000 waste containers have been distributed across targeted locations, allowing authorities to manage large volumes of waste generated by pilgrims and residents.

The scale of waste management in Mecca has grown alongside rising pilgrim numbers. Authorities recently reported removing more than 250,000 tonnes of waste in Mecca and over 16,000 tonnes from the holy sites during the Hajj season. Studies also estimate that waste generation in the city can exceed 4,500 tonnes per day during peak pilgrimage periods, underlining the need for long-term infrastructure such as the new Waste Processing City.