A proposal to distribute government-issued rubbish bags through major supermarkets and hypermarkets has been rejected by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry.
Municipal Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, in a reply issued yesterday, said the decision was based on the failure of previous trials that relied on retail outlets.
The Northern Municipal Council had earlier unanimously approved the proposal, citing growing public frustration over malfunctioning dispensing machines.
“The ministry attaches great importance to the continued provision of rubbish bag distribution services to citizens on a regular basis,” Shaikh Mohammed said in his response.
“However, a previous experiment involving major retail stores was not well-received, which prevented the continuation of this approach,” he added.
Shaikh Mohammed highlighted several measures taken to improve the existing system, including contracting specialised cleaning companies to ensure self-service dispensing machines are regularly refilled and closely monitored to prevent them from running empty.
“The operation of the machines is continuously monitored, along with usage rates,” he explained.
“In addition, the system software has been updated to allow holders of new ID cards to directly benefit from the service, which helps facilitate and speed up access for citizens.”
Shaikh Mohammed added that the ministry was also studying the redistribution of existing machines to better match actual demand across different areas.
The response followed an urgent proposal submitted last month by Northern Municipal Council member and A’ali and Ramli district councillor Abdulla Ashoor, who called for action to address ongoing technical failures and supply shortages affecting the rubbish bag dispensing machines operating under the Easy ‘Sahal’ system.
Mr Ashoor claimed that the machines often experience breakdowns or run out of bags entirely, prompting a spike in resident complaints, particularly towards the end of each month.
“These machines were intended to make life easier for people, but in reality they have become a daily source of frustration,” he said.
“Municipal councillors are receiving near‑daily calls from residents reporting that the machines are malfunctioning or completely empty.”
He noted that the total number of machines nationwide remains below 20, a figure he described as inadequate to meet current demand, despite earlier announcements that the number would be increased.
“While we appreciate the ministry’s efforts to resolve issues related to new smart ID cards, the core problem remains. There are too few machines and supplies are running out,” he added.
Under Mr Ashoor’s proposal, major supermarkets and hypermarkets would distribute rubbish bags through customer service desks, using smart ID cards or personal numbers to verify eligibility and ensure monthly quotas.
“Supermarkets are already part of people’s daily routine. This would spare elderly citizens and families the trouble of travelling long distances or dealing with malfunctioning machines, while easing pressure on the current system,” he said.
He stressed that the proposal was intended as a temporary solution until a long-term fix is implemented.
“Our goal is to serve citizens and put an end to a recurring problem that has become a burden for residents and municipal councillors alike,” Mr Ashoor said.
Despite the ministry’s rejection, Mr Ashoor called for continued dialogue to ensure uninterrupted access to a service considered essential for public cleanliness and environmental health.
The issue will go before the council today, where members will decide whether to accept the ministry’s decision or stand by their own. If they choose to insist on their position, the matter will be escalated to the Cabinet, which will make a final ruling in favour of either the ministry or the council.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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