RIYADH: The National Center for Waste Management has launched the model livestock city project in Makkah, marking the first model slaughterhouse to process carcasses and organic waste during Hajj using advanced rendering technology.
The project is aiming for a 100 percent landfill diversion rate, using an integrated system with specialized units for processing blood, fat and offal, bone grinding, and automated odor control. It has capacity to handle up to 2,500 tonnes of solid and liquid waste annually.
Developed through a memorandum of cooperation with Oclean, the facility applies private-sector innovation to convert waste — about 45 percent of slaughtered animal mass — into marketable products. These include organic fertilizers, protein powders and animal feed components, creating a scalable circular economy model for nationwide expansion.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture stressed the importance of using supervised slaughterhouses during Eid Al-Adha, saying using authorized facilities was essential for meat safety, environmental protection and the safeguarding of public health.
It said designated facilities nationwide were equipped with advanced technologies and specialized veterinary teams, ensuring meat quality and preventing the spread of livestock-borne diseases.
All approved slaughterhouses comply with local and international veterinary standards and operate under continuous regulatory oversight as part of efforts to deliver integrated services that support environmental sustainability and public health.
Earlier, the ministry announced that strong livestock production would meet rising demand for sacrificial animals during the Hajj season.
Backed by a national inventory of more than 22 million sheep, 7.6 million goats, 2.2 million camels and 510,000 cattle, the sector continues to strengthen food security, self-sufficiency and animal disease prevention systems.
It added that markets and slaughterhouses in Makkah were fully prepared with sufficient high-quality supply, supported by intensified inspections and health monitoring to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance for pilgrims.
