A circular society for growth and resilience: What it means for Oman

Most people picture waste as overflowing bins, noisy trucks, and landfills far from the city. But what if we stopped seeing waste as useless – and started treating it as something valuable? That simple shift is the real spark behind the idea of a circular society. It’s gaining momentum worldwide, and Oman stands to gain significantly from it.

A circular society goes far beyond recycling. It challenges the traditional “take–make–dispose” model by keeping materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of extracting resources, using them once, and discarding them, circular systems focus on reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recovery. This approach is not only about protecting the environment. It directly shapes how we live, work, and build a more resilient future.

Like many fast-growing economies, Oman has experienced rapid urban expansion, rising consumption, and increasing waste generation. While progress has been made in waste collection and landfill management, disposal remains costly. Materials such as plastics, metals, and electronic waste still hold economic value, yet much of it is buried. Every tonne sent to landfill represents a loss of potential income and opportunity.

At the same time, Oman’s economy remains heavily dependent on imports and oil revenues. This creates vulnerability when global supply chains are disrupted or prices fluctuate – something the world has experienced repeatedly in recent years. A circular society offers a practical response. By keeping resources circulating within the country, Oman can reduce import dependence, strengthen local industries, and improve economic resilience. The question is no longer whether Oman should move toward circularity, but how quickly it can do so.

So, what exactly is a circular society? It is built on four core principles: designing out waste, keeping materials in use, promoting repair and sharing, and restoring natural systems. This is not abstract theory. It requires cooperation between institutions, businesses, and communities. In a circular society, people choose durable products, repair rather than replace, separate waste properly, and support local circular enterprises. Policies, education systems, and infrastructure are designed to make these choices easier and more attractive.

Several countries provide useful lessons. Japan’s ‘Sound Material-Cycle Society’ combines strong legislation, producer responsibility, consumer awareness, and local action. In Europe, cities have embraced repair cafés, sharing platforms, circular construction, and reuse centres. Australia’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) initiatives have significantly reduced landfill waste. These experiences show that circularity creates jobs, strengthens communities, and reduces reliance on imports. Success depends less on advanced technology and more on coordination and mindset change.

For Oman, the circular society concept aligns naturally with national goals and cultural values. Oman Vision 2040 emphasises sustainable growth, private-sector development, and economic diversification. Circular approaches support all three by encouraging local production, fostering new business models, and reducing economic fragility. Moreover, Oman has long traditions of resourcefulness – repairing, reusing, and making the most of available materials. Circularity modernises these values rather than replacing them.

Opportunities for circular practices already exist across the country. At the household and neighbourhood level, better waste sorting, increased access to repair services, and awareness campaigns can significantly improve recovery rates. Individually these actions may seem small, but collectively they make a substantial difference.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly well placed to benefit. Activities such as recycling, repair, refurbishment, reverse logistics,

and producing goods from recovered

materials create local jobs and retain value within Oman. These businesses also align closely with In-Country Value objectives by strengthening domestic supply chains.

A circular society is not an abstract ambition. It is a practical pathway to growth, resilience, and sustainability. Oman has strong foundations, supportive cultural values, and clear economic incentives. The challenge now is to turn these advantages into coordinated action – so that circularity becomes part of everyday life, not just a policy concept.

By Dr Rezaul Shumon

Assistant Professor, College of Economics and Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University

(The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Muscat Daily or Apex Press & Publishing)