Dr Rezaul Shumon

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

Like the rest of the world, smartphones, laptops, household appliances, solar panels and electric vehicle components have quickly become part of everyday life in Oman. As these products are reaching their end of life, the volume of electronic waste is rising just as fast. While e-waste is being treated globally to recover valuable materials which contribute to the economy, Oman mostly relied on exporting the e-waste to neighbouring countries mainly, Dubai. In this way, the country is not only losing significant economic value but also walking away from its vision 2040 priorities. 

Against this backdrop, the government’s decision to ban the export of e-waste from March 1 marks an important policy shift. It signals a potential turning point in how Oman approaches resource recovery and its broader circular economy ambitions. The announcement means that e-waste which was previously sent abroad for processing must now be collected, treated and, where possible, recycled locally. On the one hand, this opens the door to economic opportunities, while on the other, it poses significant challenges in managing e-waste in an environmentally friendly manner. 

Electronic waste (e.g. discarded phones, computers, televisions and batteries) contains valuable materials, including copper, aluminium and precious metals. However, they also contain hazardous substances that can harm human health and the environment if mismanaged. Managing such waste is complex and requires systemic intervention. For years, exporting e-waste has therefore been the preferred option in Oman. Yet exporting e-waste also means exporting value, jobs and learning opportunities. The new export ban, aligned with the government’s circular economy agenda, seeks to keep this value circulating within the local economy.

From a circular economy perspective, the policy is significant. The opportunities created by the ban are substantial. First, it will certainly stimulate the development of a local e-waste recycling and refurbishment industry. In my recent conversation with the COO of Evergreen Gulf Recycling Hub (EGRH—the only known e-waste recycling company in Oman), I found an atmosphere of hope and optimism, as they mentioned, “This marks a significant milestone and a turning point for EGRH, paving the way toward full-scale operations and enabling the facility to achieve its projected recycling capacity.” 

Second, in line with Oman Vision 2040, the government’s recent launch of a national circular economy gap report project signals a shift from a narrow focus on recycling toward more comprehensive e-waste management. Alongside the policy change, this is expected to drive the development of collection systems and networks, dismantling facilities, safe material recovery, and repair operations. Over time, this could encourage new circular entrepreneurship, SME development, and job creation, particularly for young people with technical skills.

Third, the ban sends a strong market signal. It encourages producers, importers and large users of electronic equipment to rethink product design, procurement practices and end-of-life management. Over time, this can lead to longer-lasting products, improved repairability and structured take-back systems which are the key pillars of a functioning circular economy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could play a central role in this regard and flourish if supported by clear regulations and targeted incentives.

However, the policy also carries risks, at least for the short term. Currently, Oman’s local capacity to collect and process large volumes of e-waste remains limited. Households, offices and retailers need accessible and convenient collection points, otherwise e-waste may continue to be mixed with general waste streams. Without sufficient licensed facilities, clear technical standards and effective enforcement, there is a risk that e-waste could be stockpiled, improperly handled or diverted into informal channels which may have negative health and environmental impact. 

What happens next will determine whether the policy delivers its intended benefits. Few things are essential. Recent initiatives by the government shows clear commitment which is the key. This should follow clear implementation guidelines, investment support for SMEs in e-waste sectors, Extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, where importers and manufacturers share responsibility for end-of-life management. Equally important is public awareness. Oman can learn lessons from implemented e-waste circular business models from countries such as Malaysia, Australia and Europe.

Ultimately, the ban on exporting e-waste should be seen not as an isolated regulation, but as a supporting mechanism for Oman’s transition toward a circular economy. If managed well, it can transform a growing waste problem into an economic, social and environmental opportunity. If managed poorly, it risks creating new environmental and public-health challenges. The choice lies in how decisively policy, industry and society work together to close the loop.

(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)