Almost two tonnes of garbage were collected yesterday as non-profit environmental group CleanUp Bahrain continued its eco-friendly outreach at Buri Mosque.
The efforts will continue today with a beach cleaning campaign organised by the Northern Municipality in collaboration with the group.
Volunteers are set to gather at Jid Al Haj beach, near Bahrain Fort, from 4pm to 6pm to take part in the activity.
“A total of 26 volunteers came together to clean up and collect between 1,800 and 2,000 kg of garbage at the mosque,” CleanUp Bahrain board general secretary Nadia Shehab told the GDN.
“Our campaign season is nearing its end and we will re-commence our efforts in September.”
A tree-planting drive is also scheduled for May 23 at Buri Mosque, from 7am to 9am. Around 20 fruit, neem and poinciana trees will be planted as part of the drive.
These initiatives highlight the importance of community participation in preserving the kingdom’s natural resources and promoting a culture of environmental responsibility.
Volunteers clear plant waste after Buri mosque clean-up
Land degradation is a growing global crisis, driven by activities like deforestation and unsustainable agriculture, and affects more than 3.2 billion people worldwide. In the Middle East, arid environments and limited water resources make the problem even more severe.
The GDN yesterday reported that Bahrain has made significant progress under the Afforestation Plan, with 2.45 million trees planted, reaching 68 per cent of the 2035 target. Mangrove planting has also surpassed expectations, reaching 139pc of the target with 2.23m seedlings planted.
Meanwhile, Bahrain has made significant progress in waste management by reducing the volume of hazardous waste sent to landfill by more than 90 per cent. As previously reported, approximately 610,298 tonnes of waste were reused in construction and road projects during 2024, representing a growth rate of 28.82pc compared with previous years.
CleanUp Bahrain has been a central cog in the waste management system since its inception in 2016. The group consists of Bahraini and resident volunteers dedicated to reducing litter, protecting and preserving the kingdom’s beaches, and promoting environmental awareness among citizens and residents.
Volunteers at work
The platform has been responsible for removing more than 58,000kg of waste from Bahrain’s shores. Some of the beaches include Malkiya, Busaiteen, Jid Al Haj, Diraz, Demistan, Nurana, Karranah, Karbabad, Amwaj Islands, Salman City, Juffair, Arad, Janabiya and Askar.
The group’s eco-warriors picked up a total of 3,300kg of waste in 2024 through its hands-on beach clean-ups, a drop from 7,600kg in the preceding year, with the collected general waste being transported to the Askar landfill in the Southern Governorate and plastic being recycled locally.
In December last year, CleanUp Bahrain and local recycling group Masar signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pool resources and expertise to promote sustainable practices within Bahrain. Under the agreement, CleanUp Bahrain committed to orchestrating grassroots events and mobilising community involvement, while Masar would provide technical support and recycling solutions in addition to handling any waste generated from community events.
CleanUp Bahrain chairman Ali Al Qaseer had highlighted the importance of collaborative action in preserving natural resources and educating the public on sustainable living.
Those interested in volunteering for the beach cleaning activity today can follow @cleanupbahrain on Instagram to register.
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