“No to Single-Use Plastics” campaign cuts 92% of Plastic Water Bottle Use In a Single Year

Zahid Group’s commitment to sustainability spearheads a new standard for environmental responsibility

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JEDDAH, KSA, 22 October 2023 — Zahid Group, a leading organization across multiple industries, announced the resounding success of its 2022 “No to Single-Use Plastics” company-wide campaign. Since its launch at the end of 2021, Zahid Group has made significant strides in creating a corporate-wide change that aligns with its commitment to the community and the planet.

Targeting specific items where lasting change could be achieved, based on pre-pandemic usage in 2019, Zahid Group reduced its overall single-use plastic (SUP) use by 61% in 2022 in its 1st-year rollout. The initiative started by focusing on SUP kitchen utensils, bags, wrapping, and water bottles. As part of the initiative, the Group distributed stainless steel water bottles, fabric tote bags, and ceramic mugs with the initiative logo to all employees across the group companies, encouraging the use of reusable alternatives and the active participation of employees across all locations in Saudi Arabia.

In particular, the use of plastic water bottles plummeted by 92%, saving an average of 30 water bottles per hour over the first year. This achievement alone prevents over 8 tons of SUP pollution every year. 86% fewer plastic kitchen utensils were used, reducing waste by around 1.2 kg per hour on average over the entire year. Furthermore, plastic bag/wrapping use was cut by 46%, reducing another 11 tons of SUP waste.

As the Group accelerates in post-pandemic activity and can see how valuable the campaign has already been, goals for 2023 have been set even higher. Zayd M. Zahid, CEO, stated, “As a leading organization with a relentless focus on quality, best-in-class practices, and unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in all that we do, it is through the combined impact of our efforts as well as driving wider change that we set an example for others in our communities, both personal and professional. This is for all of us.”

Zahid Group is now encouraging others to join the initiative to eliminate the use of single-use plastic in their organizations and offering a royalty-free creative license to use the campaign identity and logo. The word “pLAstic” in the logo emphasizes the word لا (LA), which means “no” in Arabic, saying no to single-use plastics for our community and our planet. The logo, internal campaign strategy, lessons learned, and all the awareness campaign material have also been freely available. These can be found at www.zahid.com/plastic/

Zahid Group’s successful implementation of the “No to Single-Use Plastics” campaign showcases the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Through the collective efforts of its employees, Zahid Group has demonstrated that businesses can effect positive change and contribute to a more sustainable future.

About Zahid Group:

Zahid Group is a privately held organization headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for over a century.  It employs more than 5,000 people and is a leading player in multiple industries, including energy & utilities, heavy machinery, financial services, industrial manufacturing, transport, and hospitality. The company is partnered with global brands such as Caterpillar, Volvo, Renault, and TotalEnergies.

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Fatmah Zawawi
Zahid Group
f.zawawi@anotherinkintl.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8963526

Mobily Concludes Participation in Capacity Europe 2023 with Big Partnerships, Announcements

Riyadh, Mobily participated as a Diamond Sponsor in Capacity Europe 2023 meeting, held in London from October 17 to 19. The event brought together global telecom carriers and ICT infrastructure companies and providers, and industry leaders, providing a great platform for Mobily to foster international collaborations, demonstrate its dedication to providing exceptional tailored services and solutions, and further solidify its role as a digital enabler in the region, according to a press release from Mobily.

During the event, the release said, “Mobily signed an agreement with BICS to enhance international roaming services and provide Mobily’s customers with improved mobile access and seamless connectivity when travelling in or out of Saudi Arabia”.

Additionally, Mobily signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bankai to optimize customer engagement and communication in A2P and messaging services, and enable Mobily to be the hub for the international A2P services in the region.

An another MoU was also signed with Zenlayer to jointly leverage a partnership model, and enable and enhance the Edge Cloud Services to accelerate dynamic content and improve user experience for various sectors.

“The collaboration will also set up the foundation for required capabilities to host and deliver game content locally,” the release stated.

Mobily’s participation in Capacity Europe 2023 strengthens its global presence while actively supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 for a more connected future, the release said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Majeed Al Abduljabbar Appointed CEO of Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company

Riyadh, The Board of Directors of the Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), wholly owned by the PIF and chaired by Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, announced today that Majeed Al Abduljabbar will assume the role of chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2024, succeeding former CEO Fabrice Susini, after having obtained clearance from Saudi Central Bank, according to a press release from SRC.

The release said that “Al Abduljabbar is considered one of the leading executives in the Kingdom, based on his extensive professional career of 26 years in the public and private sector of the financial and banking industry”.

SRC Board of Directors thanked Susini “for his extensive efforts over the years in strengthening the company’s position in the sector in the Kingdom, and supporting the development of a management team that applies the best international practices in this field, and for his contribution to the company’s achievements during his tenure”.

Al Abduljabbar “held various positions during his career, including director of risks at the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), and senior advisor to the CMA chairman of the board, during which he worked on several initiatives within the authority’s plan and strategy, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030”, the release stated.

Al Abduljabbar was also “part of the team that supervised Aramco’s public offering in the Saudi market. He also represented the Kingdom in several committees at the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Al Abduljabbar has been working in the banking sector for more than 15 years, including in the treasury department of HSBC Bank in London, Samba and Arab National Bank. He also contributed to establishing the Department of Innovative Investment Solutions at SABB (now SAB), the release said.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh Season Tennis Cup Coming Up This December

Riyadh, Riyadh Season 2023 announced that Riyadh Season Tennis Cup will be held from December 26-27, and will bring together tennis champions from around the globe.

The female competition, which will be held on December 26, will feature Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and Tunisian Ons Jabeur, African and Arab tennis stars, the best in the history of the International Tennis Federation and the Women’s Tennis Association.

In the male competition, to be held on December 27, Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 major championships, will compete against Spanish professional tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who won two major titles.

The competitions will be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, which has a capacity of more than 40,000 spectators. The venue is designed to host other international events, including the International Boxing Bout, to be held on the opening night of Riyadh Season, on October 28.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

RCMC Announces Official Launch of Makkah Bus Project

Makkah, The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC) has announced the official launch of the Makkah bus project, after having completed the trial run.

The project serves residents and visitors to Makkah; it will help improve the quality of life by providing fast, safe and eco-friendly buses with designated seating for individuals with disabilities.

It also helps achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by creating job opportunities for Saudi citizens and by contributing to building a dynamic and diverse economy.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Al-Dakheel Presents His Credentials as Non-Resident Ambassador to Togolese President

Lome, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Dakheel, presented yesterday his credentials as a non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Togo to President Faure Gnassingbe in the capital city of Lome.

Al-Dakheel has been appointed as the Kingdom’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Togo.

Source: Saudi Press Agency