A three-day masterclass equipped participants with practical methods for compiling waste inventories, analysing material flows, and using data to support policy and planning.
How can waste data be transformed into better policies, infrastructure, and investment decisions? This question was at the heart of the Waste Statistics Masterclass held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 8 to 10 September 2026.
The three-day capacity-building programme was delivered by the UNITAR Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme in partnership with the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Participants developed their understanding of the essential building blocks of reliable waste statistics. The masterclass covered approaches for preparing waste inventories, conducting material flow analysis, and translating statistical findings into information that can be used for policy development and waste management planning.
Practical exercises and discussions focused on three significant waste streams: plastics, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and batteries. These examples allowed participants to examine real-world data challenges and explore methodologies that can also be adapted to other waste streams.
The masterclass emphasized that producing statistics is not an end in itself. High-quality data help authorities understand how materials enter, move through, and leave an economy. This knowledge can reveal data gaps, identify priority interventions, guide infrastructure planning, and provide a basis for monitoring progress towards national circular economy targets.
By combining technical methodologies with practical applications, the programme contributed to strengthening the capacities required for evidence-informed waste management in Saudi Arabia.
The SCYCLE Academy for Circular Economy looks forward to building on this cooperation with MWAN, UNEP, and other partners and to supporting further learning and capacity development across the Kingdom.