Metal barriers could be installed to secure public skips against theft and misuse, with a trial period being suggested.
The Southern Municipal Council in its meeting yesterday unanimously approved a proposal by its chairman Abdulla Abdullatif following concerns of an increase in both vandalism and misuse.
In the past, all the authorities have had to worry about was ‘dumpster diving’ – expats stealing anything valuable or worth selling and leaving a mess behind them – but this initiative aims to combat a growing issue of dumpsters being stolen or repurposed as personal property.
The new barriers would make them accessible only to authorised personnel using specialised equipment. “Public dumpsters play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness in densely populated areas, but they are increasingly targeted for theft and misuse,” said Mr Abdullatif.
“In some areas, individuals have been found taking dumpsters for personal storage or even selling them as scrap metal,” he added.
“Dumpsters are also often moved from designated areas, resulting in an unsightly and disorganised waste management system that makes rubbish collection more difficult for sanitation workers.
“This new proposal seeks to address these issues by installing heavy-duty barriers to secure the skips in place. The barriers would make it nearly impossible for dumpsters to be moved or taken.
“The barriers are built with reinforced steel that prevents tampering and the dumpsters would be accessible only using a specialised forklift operated by certified personnel from waste management companies.”
Mr Abdullatif believes the proposed barrier system could improve security and rubbish collection efficiency. “The proposal will undergo government review, with potential pilot programmes being considered in high-theft or high-vandalism areas, to ensure effectiveness and success,” he suggested. “If approved, initial installations could begin within the next year, with phased rollouts in areas with the highest need, such as Buhair housing area.”
It’s not an issue contained to Bahrain, in several countries skips are converted into giant plant pots.
The proposal will be now studied by Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak.
- Have you spotted a skip being used in an unusual manner? Send your images to dumpster disguise, gdnnews@gdnmedia.bh
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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