VEGETABLES, fruit, fish and left-over, date-sensitive food waste from hypermarkets, supermarkets and central markets could soon be turned into much-needed fertiliser in a pioneering green project.
The Southern Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal by its chairman Abdulla Abdullatif to investigate the possibility of installing compressing or compost-turning machines in partnership with the private sector across the country.
He presented online studies on the suggestion to his colleagues, saying it would help put waste resources into better use. “This could tackle one of the main issues of valuable products ending up in landfills,” he said, hoping the move could be made compulsory by January.
Online studies suggest that fruit and vegetables are rich in nitrogen and can produce great compost such as apple cores, rinds of melons, papayas and pineapples, as well as the peels of oranges and bananas, amongst others.
Once compressed they could be used as compost by Bahraini farmers saving on the expensive importation of fertilisers, which have seen prices rocket globally since the Russian conflict with Ukraine.
Fish remains could be also turned into fertiliser using other procedures and machinery.
Southern Municipality director-general Isa Al Buainain backed the initiative in principle, adding that the proposal needed further study by experts from the Estidama Waste Management Centre.
“We could negotiate with hypermarkets and supermarkets and even have it introduced in central markets since they come under municipal jurisdiction,” he said.
“It appears to be a good idea but we are not experts. It requires study by the concerned waste management centre under the ministry, supported by scientific evidence,” he added.
Mr Abdullatif believes the green initiative could also solve the issue of ‘expat dumpster diving’.
“Videos of expats dumpster diving have gone viral showing them selling rotten and damaged fruits and vegetables after washing them under toilet taps,” he said.
“I don’t think that an in-depth study should take more than a month and, accordingly, if this answers vital environmental and health concerns, a ministerial edict could make it happen.”
Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak would have the final say after receiving expert opinion and costings on the local government-backed proposal.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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