Nearly 6,000kg of paper, cardboard and plastic – equivalent to the average household waste generated by six Bahraini families in a year – was diverted from Bahrain’s landfill thanks to the collective efforts of schools across the kingdom.
The achievement comes through the Recycling Warriors League (RWL), an initiative organised by Nidukki, Bahrain’s homegrown recycling and circular-economy company. The programme encourages students, teachers and families to take practical environmental action by turning everyday recyclable waste into a fun, educational and competitive sustainability challenge.
Over the past five months, more than 10,000 students from eight schools collected a combined 5,981kg of recyclable materials, preventing an estimated 10,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions – roughly equivalent to the amount absorbed annually by 450 trees.
Nidukki marketing head Yasmin Al Aswad, left, with ASB teacher, right, and Eco Eagles co-ordinator Bianca Briers alongside students displaying the Recycling Warriors League trophy
The American School of Bahrain (ASB) claimed first place after collecting 1,532kg of recyclable materials and earning 185 points.
The achievement was driven by a school-wide campaign that encouraged families to bring recyclable plastic, paper and cardboard to a central collection point located at the school’s entrance, making participation simple and highly visible.
“The RWL became much more than a recycling drive; it sparked meaningful conversations about sustainability, personal responsibility and the role young people can play in protecting our planet,” the school’s student-led environmental group, the ASB Eco Eagles said in a statement.
“Collecting more than 1,500kg of recyclable materials and earning first place is an outstanding accomplishment, but the true success lies in the lessons our students learned along the way – that leadership, teamwork and environmental responsibility can create measurable change.
“This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our students, staff and families working together towards a more sustainable future.”
Other participating schools included Ibn Khuldoon National School (1,104kg – 61 points), St Christopher’s School (884kg – 40 points), ARKS Diyar (720kg – 81 points), Multinational School (505kg – 104 points), Nadeen School (568kg – 61 points) Canadian School Bahrain (338kg –32 points), and ARKIS (330.5kg – 15 points).
To ensure fairness among schools of different sizes, scores were calculated by dividing the total kilogrammes collected by the student population and multiplying the result by 100.
The winning school received a specially crafted trophy made by 26-year-old Bahraini artist Zain Al Alawi using materials sourced directly from Nidukki’s recycling facility.
“Over the course of its making, I carefully placed each recycled granule by hand, shaping a world map that wraps around the piece and transforming what was once overlooked into deliberate form,” she said.
“I intentionally left loose granules within the structure so that it produces a subtle sound when moved – a quiet sensory reminder of material in motion.
“The work reflects a sustained attention to detail and a belief that nothing is ever truly finished, only becoming.”
She described the trophy as more than an award. “It is a celebration of transformation, and it honours the schools that chose action over indifference and participation over convenience – demonstrating how collective effort, granule by granule and choice by choice, can create something far greater than the sum of its parts,” she added.
The trophy designed by Ms Al Alawi
Nidukki director Nasser Mattar highlighted that long-term environmental behaviour change starts in classrooms, saying: “Engaging students today builds the recycling habits, civic mindset and consumer expectations of tomorrow’s adults.”
The second edition of the Recycling Warriors League will return in the 2026-2027 academic year, with expanded school participation and a brand new trophy.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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