Saudi Arabia is building a large-scale Waste Processing City south of Mecca, part of a wider effort to strengthen environmental services for the holy city and the millions of pilgrims who visit each year for Hajj and Umrah. The project sits among a growing list of infrastructure works aimed at keeping the holy sites clean and functional as visitor numbers rise.
According to authorities, the facility covers an area of 8.5 million square metres and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. It is designed to meet Mecca's waste management needs for up to 60 years, supporting the city's long-term urban growth as well as the seasonal surges that accompany the pilgrimage.
A facility built for the long term
Managing waste in Mecca is a considerable task. During Hajj, the concentration of pilgrims across Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah produces large volumes of refuse in a short period, and the arid climate adds to the challenge. A dedicated processing city is intended to handle these demands in a single, planned location rather than through scattered, temporary arrangements.
By planning for a 60-year horizon, Saudi authorities signalled that the project is meant to serve not only current pilgrim numbers but the higher totals expected under Vision 2030, which sets targets for welcoming far greater numbers of Umrah and Hajj visitors in the years ahead.
Cleaning the holy sites today
The new city adds to an already substantial cleaning operation. Authorities said more than 13,000 sanitation workers are deployed across Mecca and the holy sites, supported by 3,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment. Around 88,000 waste containers have been distributed across targeted locations to maintain cleanliness during peak pilgrimage seasons.
Cleaning at the holy sites typically runs in phases: before pilgrims arrive, during the days of the pilgrimage, and again once the crowds have departed. This rhythm allows crews to keep pathways and camping areas usable even at the busiest moments, when hundreds of thousands of people move between sites within hours of each other.
The Waste Processing City is one of several projects reshaping the area around the Grand Mosque and its surroundings. Saudi Arabia has also announced expansions of transport links, accommodation and public spaces intended to ease movement and improve comfort for worshippers.
What it means for pilgrims
For pilgrims, cleaner and better-managed holy sites translate into a safer and more comfortable experience, particularly in the summer months when heat and crowding raise health risks. Well-maintained camps and clear pathways reduce hazards and help crews respond quickly when problems arise.
Pilgrims can support these efforts in simple ways. Using the waste containers provided rather than leaving litter in camps or along walking routes keeps areas safe and hygienic. Carrying a small bag for personal rubbish during long walks between sites, and avoiding food waste where possible, both ease the burden on sanitation crews.
Staying hydrated and disposing of empty bottles responsibly is especially important during Hajj, when Zamzam and drinking water are distributed widely across the sites. Small acts of cleanliness, multiplied across millions of pilgrims, make a real difference to the condition of the holy sites and reflect the care that Islam places on cleanliness as part of faith.