Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Partners with Cleaning Companies to Enhance Waste Recycling and Processing Services
The Undersecretary of Municipal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Eng. Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, emphasized the role of community partnership in enhancing the recycling and processing of waste and materials that are no longer suitable for other uses. The aim of partnering with the community is to enhance the process of transforming waste into reusable materials in a way that achieves promising environmental and economic returns.
This was highlighted during the launch of the new recycling bins in both the Northern and Southern Governorates, inaugurated by the Undersecretary of Municipal Affairs. The event was attended by Dr. Sayed Shabr Al-Wadai, Chairman of the Northern Municipal Council, Mr. Abdullah Abdul Latif, Chairman of the Southern Municipal Council, Eng. Lamya Al-Fadhala, Director-General of the Northern Municipality, Eng. Isa Abdulrahman Al-Buainain, Director-General of the Southern Municipality, along with several members of the municipal councils and ministry officials.
The Undersecretary emphasized that the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture is dedicated to fostering this partnership with all community members to facilitate the collection and recycling of various waste types. The ministry has signed new cleaning contracts with Gulf City and Urbaser to establish 300 community collection centers across all of Bahrain’s governorates, ensuring one center for every 5,000 people. Additionally, the ministry will provide door-to-door pickup services for households that meet the service’s requirements.
He further explained that the cleaning companies will collaborate with local recycling companies and NGOs, along with other stakeholders, to ensure the maximum extraction of recyclable materials from mixed waste. The first phase of the project will be coordinated with the municipal councils, and it will involve setting up 300 recycling centers, each equipped with separate bins for glass, plastic, metals, and paper/cardboard, in accessible public locations. Special bins will also be provided to collect these recyclables from the centers, facilitating sorting and quick processing.
The Undersecretary confirmed that the first phase of the collection centers will be completed in the Capital and Muharraq Governorates, according to the planned work schedule, ensuring widespread distribution across Bahrain. The second phase will focus on direct collection from households, offering this service to homeowners who wish to participate in the sorting and cleaning of their waste. Homeowners will be able to apply online to receive collection services from the cleaning companies, provided they meet certain quality standards for recyclable materials. The service will be specifically available for collection.
The Chairman of the Northern Municipal Council, praised the initiative of launching waste sorting bins, noting that it strengthens technical and administrative measures to manage waste levels, reduce harmful emissions from waste, and mitigate environmental health and safety risks. He added that the initiative also facilitates waste collection and processing, benefiting agricultural projects and other economically valuable uses.
Dr. Al-Wadai highlighted the significance of the initiative in aligning the Kingdom of Bahrain with global sustainable development goals, particularly the 11th Goal pertaining to 'Sustainable Cities and Communities.' This goal aims to reduce the environmental impact of cities, with a particular focus on enhancing air quality and optimizing waste management processes by the year 2030.
He further emphasized that the success of this initiative in promoting responsible social behavior and encouraging individual and community participation requires a comprehensive system of educational and awareness programs to build social awareness about the importance of waste segregation and regulating its disposal in accordance with the proper administrative and procedural tools. These programs will be implemented in partnership with municipal councils, schools, NGOs, and various media platforms.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Southern Municipal Council, stressed the importance of the recycling centers, noting that the ministry, in collaboration with the municipal councils, has dedicated significant efforts to collecting, sorting, and transferring waste to appropriate recycling entities. He pointed out that recycling is key to reducing waste volumes.
He added, "The new cleaning company, in coordination with the Southern Municipal Council, has distributed the new bins in the Southern Governorate to enhance public cleanliness."
He also noted that the distribution of the new waste sorting bins in the Southern Governorate aligns with the Municipal Council’s efforts to guide and educate citizens and residents on proper waste disposal behaviors. This initiative aims to reduce improper waste disposal in non-designated areas, stressing the importance of placing bins in multiple locations, considering factors such as residential density, commercial streets, and popular public areas like markets and supermarkets, ensuring recycling efforts are convenient and accessible for everyone without without requiring long-distance travel.
The inauguration event also featured a display of the fleet of vehicles and bins prepared by the Northern and Southern Municipalities, along with the new plastic bins, which will replace the old ones throughout Bahrain, meeting globally approved environmental standards.
