DOHA: A pioneering QR4b solid waste management centre, considered the largest in the Middle East, will open in Mesaieed within the next two months.
Safar Al Shafi, Director of Public Cleanness Department at Ministy of Municipality and Urban Planning said the centre located on a 3 sq km area will work according to eco-friendly state-of-the-art technology.
"It will convert waste into clean energy and is set to produce 50 megawatt electricity daily during the treatment process as well as high quality organic fertiliser," he explained. A Singapore company specialised in plant construction was responsible for the design and construction of the centre and will also operate it for the next 20 years.
Qatar has invested QR4b for the project which comes within the State's interest towards the preservation of the environment while abiding all international treaties. The pioneering project is set to put Qatar as a leading country in waste management for neighbouring countries to follow.
The solid waste management centre is an integrated facility divided into two sections namely a waste segregation department and a section which will recycle waste into new products such as fertiliser, paper, plastic, cardboard, and aluminium.
Started in 2006, the centre will start running within the next two months with a capacity of 2033 tonnes per day will produce high quality solid and liquid fertilizers which will help cover the need of green spaces in the country. It will begin production of 230 to 550 tonnes per day depending on waste treatment. With an active construction business, extensive hydrocarbon sector and growing number of high-income households, Qatar creates more than 7,000 tonnes of solid waste each day. Domestic waste from households, markets and office buildings account for about 30 percent of the waste, while non-domestic waste from commercial, construction and industrial sites account for the rest.
Al Shafi underscored the importance of cooperation of all segments of the society especially the education sector to include in the curriculum lessons on waste segregation and importance of recycling.
"In the coming months, we will launch an awareness campaign on properly segregating wastes in all primary schools in cooperation with the Supreme Education Council," he said, adding the program will also include hotels and malls. He also called on religious speakers in mosques to raise awareness among people on the concept of waste segregation and recycling.
Special garbage containers will be distributed all over the country for the project which was piloted in 2009. Qatari citizens have welcomed the project signing their cooperation toward its success.
Yusuf Al Qassim, secretary general of Friends of Environment Centre, said the centre will cooperate in the awareness campaign to ensure the project is successful in its implementation.
Abdulsalam Al Aji, a Qatari citizen, believes the pioneering project which is of great benefit for the country will be embraced by all citizens.
The centre is part of the measures envisioned by the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 which includes the establishment of a comprehensive solid waste management plan to coordinate responsibilities, activities and planning.
© The Peninsula 2011
