Qatar’s shift to sustainable procurement accelerates with focus on genuine circular economy

Sustainability is becoming a more routine factor in purchasing decisions across Qatar, as companies look beyond price and presentation to consider how products are made, used and disposed of.

At Ecossential, which supplies items such as reusable bags, drinkware, recycled stationery and plantable notebooks, operational manager Sampath Weerasinghe said demand is growing for lower-waste options that can still support branding and practicality. He told Gulf Times that sustainabilit...

y is now part of corporate responsibility, procurement and marketing, rather than an occasional campaign.

That shift fits closely with Qatar National Vision 2030, which was launched in 2008 and sets out a long-term framework for sustainable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection. The vision’s environmental development pillar places emphasis on preserving natural resources, promoting responsible stewardship and encouraging sustainable practices as part of the country’s wider resilience agenda.

For businesses, the move towards greener procurement is not only about principle but also about logistics. Weerasinghe said many organisations previously found it difficult to source products that matched both environmental goals and brand requirements, especially when minimum order quantities were too high or choice was limited. Those challenges are particularly relevant for SMEs, start-ups and locally grown brands that do not need large corporate volumes.

The implications are also significant for Qatar’s busy calendar of exhibitions, conferences, sporting events and community programmes, where merchandise is often ordered in bulk. Weerasinghe argued that sustainability should be considered from the outset of event planning, rather than added at the end, if organisers want to cut waste without affecting quality, hygiene or delivery.

He said the best value often comes from products that remain useful after an event, such as tote bags, bottles or notebooks, rather than single-use items that are quickly discarded. But he also warned that the growth of environmentally branded goods brings risks of greenwashing. Businesses, he said, should examine materials, sourcing, lifespan and whether products can genuinely be reused, recycled or composted.

According to Weerasinghe, clear certifications and transparent product information can help procurement teams make better choices. He added that the environmental benefit of any item ultimately depends on how it is used over time, not just on the label attached to it.

The next frontier, he said, is ensuring that reusable products themselves do not become waste at the end of their life. Ecossential is exploring recycling links, disposal guidance and possible circular-economy partnerships, though those efforts are still developing.

For Qatar’s corporate sector, the message is increasingly clear: sustainability is moving from statement to standard practice, and the credibility of that shift will depend on whether businesses choose carefully, use products well and think through what happens after the item has served its purpose.

Source: Noah Wire Services