Mr Andrew Sharpe General Manager Saudi Automatic Laundry PO Box 4670 RIYADH

Dear Mr Sharpe,

Thank you for your letter dated 20 February to the Ambassador. Both the environment and water sectors are my areas of responsibility within the Embassy and I have been asked, therefore, to reply. First of all let me congratulate you on the innovative way you have developed your own re-cycling schemes. Many more could and should be following your example. Having lived in the Kingdom a while you will know the concept of re-cycling is still in its infancy. In the case of water, something in the order of 90% of that drain from underground aquifers is used directly for agriculture and industry. Most of this is fossil water and a finite resource, yet few seem to be aware. Although some water may, eventually, trickle back to aquifers most is lost forever. Mean- while two thirds of the Kingdom's drinking water requirements have to be met from desalination plants. Just what the lifetime is of the fossil aquifers no-one knows for sure but clearly they cannot be drawn on indefinitely. Saudi Arabia with its rapidly expanding population faces some awkward questions in the coming years. But all is not doom and gloom! Re-cycling of household waste is slowly. taking off and plants are being built in Jeddah and Riyadh. You may also be interested to know that we have now have a British adviser working with the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization to help develop their environmental legislation. In April representatives from 9 Saudi companies are attending ET'97 (Environmental Management exhibition) in Birmingham at our invitation. While in September, the Saudis are staging their first international environmental exhibition, Saudi Envirotech, here in Riyadh. All of the foregoing offer some reassurance. As you point out, where better to start the learning process than with children. It would be nice to think that the Kingdom's schoolchildren might be encouraged to have their own exhibition at Saudi Envirotech {in fact I can mention to the organizers!). The pictures painted by children from the British School are charming and I like the idea of combining them with your calendar. Perhaps other businesses and enterprises can be persuaded to follow your initiative. I am sending your letter addressed to the Prime Minister to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for onward trans- mission. I am also copying your letter to the Joint Environmental Management Unit of the Department of Trade and Department of Environment.  

Mr. Andrew Sharpe General Manager Saudi Automatic Laundry Saudi Production Holding Go. P.O. Box 58002 Riyadh 11471 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

March 6, 2000

Dear Mr. Sharpe:

Thank you for sending me some copies of the Saudi Automatic Laundry Year 2000 calendar. I was very impressed by the inspiring environmental drawings by the young children. It is important that the newest generation be aware of protecting our planet for future generations. I appreciate your thoughtfulness Sincerely,

Wyche Fowler

Ambassador