Bahrain plan on way to tackle 6,000 tonnes of waste per day

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A NATIONAL strategy to tackle increasing amounts of waste generated in Bahrain will soon be implemented.

Bahrain generates almost 6,000 tonnes of waste per day and a top government official warned it posed an environmental hazard.

However, Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) chief executive Dr Mohammed bin Daina revealed a plan to counter the problem was on the cards.

“The amount of solid waste (including domestic, construction, agricultural and commercial) produced on an annual basis was 1,448,685 tonnes in 2016,” said Dr Bin Daina.

“Currently, the average daily tonnage has increased to more than 5,500 tonnes per day, all of which is being landfilled.

“Per day Bahrain generates 5,500 tonnes of municipal waste, seven tonnes of healthcare waste and 380 tonnes of industrial waste.

“It also includes all other hazardous and non-hazardous waste, including electronic and electrical waste and scrap vehicles.

“The quantity of this waste is growing exponentially with time.

“Bahrain intends to establish a National Solid Waste Management Plan to improve waste management.”

He said coming up with solutions was a priority given the environmental impact of waste, which includes an adverse impact on public health, road transportation, generation of dust and pollution and ground water pollution.

That is in addition to proliferation of insects and rodents, as well as aesthetic factors.

However, Dr Bin Daina acknowledged that challenges existed.

“Waste is one of the major environmental issues in Bahrain due to the huge quantities generated,” he said.

“There are limited facilities for its collection, storage, transportation and disposal.

“The Asker landfill site has been accommodating municipal waste for the past three decades and the quarry area will be full in the near future. The landmass is not available to continue accepting waste, which is compacted and covered.”

The country’s main landfill at Hafeera is expected to run out of space in the next three years, but a new facility and a composting plant able to convert waste into energy are in the pipeline.

Of the 5,500 tonnes of household waste generated last month, 65 per cent was organic items – mainly food.

Bahrain-based consulting firm Mott McDonald has now been appointed to help draft the waste management master plan, which is set to change regulations governing the sector.

“The main objectives of preparing and implementing the strategy are evaluation of the current solid waste management practices, a review and update of the relevant national regulations, with reference to best international and regional regulations,” said Dr Bin Daina. “We also aim to establish a smart national waste inventory system and to prepare a comprehensive national strategy for the management of solid waste on a national scale.

“The role of the SCE is to work in co-ordination with the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and other stakeholders – including the Ministries of Health and Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

“One of the clear legal mandates of the SCE is to establish foundations for the sound management of industrial, health and household waste.”

Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry adviser Bob Doig said the plan would be presented to the government for approval by August.

“The plan will be done once the assessment of the current waste management situation is completed and upon approval, the implementation will commence,” he told the GDN.

“The consultants will operate out of the new Waste Management Centre (Estidama) in Seef.

“They will prepare the waste management plan in the first six months and, in the second six months, translate the proposed waste management policy goals and strategies into action.”

Estidama is a new think tank specifically focused on waste management.

“Following initial assessment of the current situation, a series of waste policies will be drawn up aimed at preventing and reducing waste, recycling, re-use and forms of treatment to reduce dependency on landfills,” explained Mr Doig.

raji@gdn.com.bh

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