Background: Dual Challenges of Food Waste and Scrap Tires in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia generates approximately 6 million tons of food waste annually, with per capita waste reaching 165 kg. Meanwhile, over 2 million scrap tires are discarded each year. Landfilling remains the dominant disposal method, exacerbating desertification and greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovative Solution: Food Waste Digestate + Scrap Tires = Desert Greening
We propose a revolutionary technology: using wet biogas residue from anaerobic digestion to fill waste tires, creating a 3D greening system that achieves both “zero waste” and “desert greening”.
Technical Highlights:
- Moisture Retention: Digestate holds >40% moisture vs. desert sand (<5%), reducing irrigation frequency by 50%.
- Nutrient Release: Complies with SASO-1993, providing slow-release N-P-K tailored to plant growth stages.
- Micro-Climate Chambers: Tires create insulated environments, boosting plant survival rates to over 65% (vs. <30% traditionally).
Ecological Benefits:
- Dual Sand Fixation: Tires block wind erosion; digestate binds sand; microbes improve soil structure.
- Enhanced Water Cycle: Tire condensation collects water + digestate retains moisture, saving 40% water and harvesting over 1,000L daily.
Economic Gains:
- Cost Savings: Eliminates dewatering energy, replaces imported substrates, saving $35,000/year.
- Value Creation: 100 tons of food waste fixes 8.5 ha desert + generates $430,000 annual revenue.
- Strategic Fit: 100% valorization of tires and food waste, advancing Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
Validation Data:
- No tire deformation or digestate hardening under Riyadh’s extreme heat (60°C).
- Date palm survival rose from 28% to 71%; Arabian jasmine from 22% to 68%.
Conclusion:
This project is not only a technological breakthrough but also a viable pathway toward Saudi Arabia’s sustainable future. With patent pending (SA1020254994) and strong government support, it is ready for rapid scaling.