BAHRAIN produces the most waste per person among GCC countries.
Landfills have been used to dump garbage for years as was the normal practice. Askar, the only existing landfill as a dumpsite in Bahrain, caters to municipal waste, agricultural waste and non-hazardous industrial waste. But, now the landfills are no longer considered the most viable way to dispose of garbage. The proximity of Askar landfill to developing urban habitats has been a cause of major environmental concern, due to its serious impacts on air, soil and groundwater quality in the surrounding areas. The increasing population, high waste generation growth rate, limited land availability and scarcity of waste disposal sites necessitate the move to the next level of waste management system.
The waste is no longer to be considered as undesirable and unavoidable end product of consumption, but as a valuable raw material. Recycling is a reliable revenue source from the sale of recycled waste.
Proper disposal and recycling of the polythene adds to the greenhouse effect. It is said that one ounce of carbon dioxide is emitted for each ounce of polyethylene produced. Researchers agree that recycling and re-manufacturing plastic saves at least 30 per cent of the carbon emissions that original processing and manufacturing produces. It is the burning issue of the hour to reduce the carbon emissions, particularly when the lung of our earth is burning.
An efficient waste collection and cleaning system will provide a sustainable, clean and healthy workplace and an attractive environment.
The citizens also need to be socially responsible and aware of the impact of waste disposal on the environment, demand for recycling and waste diversion programmes such as waste sorting. Though in a small way, the recycling of old T-shirts for a noble cause (GDN, September 1) is encouraging.
But, the waste segregation in schools and some enterprises alone is not adequate for this cause. The citizens have to be educated to segregate the waste according to the nature of waste. All neighbourhoods and localities have to be educated to segregate their waste. The dry waste sorting has to be supported by the conscientious residents and monitored by the neighbourhood. Segregation of tin soda cans and cardboard in waste will not only be a step forward towards the circular economy of waste sorting but also will eliminate the inhuman scavenging at waste bins.
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