With regard to the post “There is no recycling in Jeddah” (Mar. 26), don't be discouraged. Keep recycling! Lead by example. Separate organic waste and make a compost: Put it outdoors and stir it often so that it decomposes quickly and does not smell. This will produce soil you can use for flower pots. You will have to water this soil-in-the-making, otherwise it will turn to stone in hot, dry weather. As for other waste, just separate it in different bags. This will make life easier for scavengers! Reader, Online response II. I am working in Saudi Arabia as an international consultant in waste and recycling. Although every authority is convinced that waste is gold, unfortunately, the opposite is true. Nowhere in the world is waste treatment or recycling economically feasible without gate fees (environmental tax) or by subsidizing the use of the recycled products. It is only in Saudi Arabia that there is the wrong idea that waste is gold. Waste is a burden, especially without proper legislation and financial infrastructure for waste management. Barthol, Online response
