A MOBILE application to assist people in disposing of all types of recyclable waste has been proposed to assist Manama residents in joining the green revolution.
The Capital Trustees Board yesterday, unanimously approved the proposal to create an app, which will be linked to the Works, Municipalities Affairs, and Urban Planning Ministry’s e-services for the public.
According to board member Mubarak Al Nuaimi, who proposed the idea at the council’s regular meeting at the ministry’s Manama complex, the app could be linked to authorised recycling agencies and civil societies that can assist the public in disposing of various types of decomposable wastes such as e-waste, plastic, and others.
“The app is in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 12,” board chairman Saleh Tarradah told the GDN. “The step is towards taking Bahrain closer to its environmental and economic goals.
“The board has approved the proposal and has forwarded it to the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister for further steps to be taken.”
The SDGs are 17 interlinked global goals designed by the United Nations to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Mr Al Nuaimi explained to the GDN about the proposal, which he said would take Bahrain one step closer to its ambitious net zero goals. “The proposal comes from a vision towards ‘waste free’ Bahrain,” he said. “All types of recyclable waste can be traded through this app which we propose to the ministry to link to its e-services.
“The private companies with licences to recycle, factories and other entities alongside the non-governmental organisations will be linked on to the app – it will be part of their corporate social responsibility.
“So anyone who wants to get rid of the waste that can be recycled, can go to the app, link with the right entity and then take it from there.
“Options that could be listed would be companies and civil societies who deal with waste, as to how they can help the person who wants to dispose of the waste, by either picking it up from them or allowing them to drop it off somewhere.”
The GDN earlier reported that around 30 per cent of rubbish disposed daily in the Hafeera landfill were electronics and electrical appliances, which contain toxic elements. According to official reports, around 1.6 million tonnes of waste was dumped at Hafeera last year.
Domestic waste topped the list with 546,822 tonnes, construction waste came in second at 487,940 tonnes, followed by commercial and industrial waste at 397,544 tonnes, and agricultural waste at 127,350 tonnes.
Mr Al Nuaimi added that the app could be implemented in partnership with the private sector. “Yes, of course the private sector as in the recycling companies or licensed factories will be benefiting from this as well, so the app could be set up in co-ordination with the private sector.
“The app will definitely take Bahrain closer to its net zero ambition.”
At the landmark UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) held last year at Glasgow, UK, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had stressed the importance of adapting to climate change, when announcing that Bahrain would cut its emissions by 30pc by 2035 and net zero emission target by 2060, aiming at generating 5pc of its power from renewable sources by 2025 and 10pc by 2035.
The appointed members of the board have been enthusiastic about environment-friendly initiatives for Bahrain. The GDN earlier reported that the board unanimously approved on placing trash cans across the country to collect electronic waste. The proposal was to gather and recycle digital waste by allocating containers at various places in the governorate and to award the contract to a company specialised in recycling e-waste.
“We are talking of all types of waste that can be recycled – especially with e-waste, we need avenues to dispose of them, which is needed for the country to achieve some of the major SDGs,” added Mr Al Nuaimi.
The board also discussed other items on the agenda including land allocations and public housing projects.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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