Jeddah Municipality shuts down 3 sites recycling old furniture for resale as new

JEDDAH — A joint field campaign conducted by the Jeddah Municipality detected three illegal compounds in southern Jeddah used to remanufacture household furnishings that would later be distributed to commercial stores. The campaign was carried out in cooperation with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Ministry of Commerce, field enforcement authorities, and Civil Defense, as part of integrated government efforts to strengthen compliance and curb illegal activities. Director General of the General Administration for Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena, Yasser bin Siraj Bakhsh, said field teams found workers in the sites exploiting waste materials, including used foam and cotton, processing them through primitive methods in an unhealthy environment. The materials were cut, compressed, and packaged in preparation for recycling into household furnishings, which were later marketed and distributed to commercial stores. **media[2703576]** Bakhsh explained that the campaign resulted in the arrest of two workers, who were handed over to the relevant authorities for violating residency and labor regulations. He added that inventory operations uncovered large quantities of furnishings, with 5,000 usable pieces handed over in accordance with approved procedures. Authorities also began confiscating equipment and machinery, while Jeddah Co. initiated the dismantling and removal of heavy machinery from the sites. The Director noted that the locations were fully shut down by the South Jeddah Municipality branch pending the completion of legal procedures and the enforcement of municipal penalties and fines regulations.