A sweeping municipal campaign has been launched to remove 5,000 illegally placed charity collection boxes scattered across Bahrain’s highest populated area, the Northern Governorate, with owners given just three months to reclaim them – or lose them permanently.
The massive clean-up drive, described as one of the biggest municipal enforcement campaigns in recent years, targets unsightly, unhygienic and illegally placed donation containers that authorities say have turned into public nuisances, traffic hazards and even breeding grounds for pests.
Speaking during the final meeting of the term of the Northern Municipal Council at its headquarters in Budaiya, Northern Municipality director-general Mohammed Al Sehli said the scale of violations uncovered had been staggering.
“We are starting with eyesores, unclean and unhygienic boxes – 5,000 is a very large number just in one governorate,” said Mr Al Sehli.
“Owners have been given three months to collect these boxes. After that period, they will not be able to claim them again.”
He revealed municipal investigations showed many charity organisations had surprisingly little knowledge about the whereabouts or management of collection boxes carrying their own names.
“Many charity societies do not even know where their boxes are or how many they have, because in many cases private companies handle everything on their behalf for a percentage of the proceeds,” he explained.
The clean-up operation is being spearheaded by municipal sanitation teams led by cleanliness chief Hamad Buallay, who are simultaneously carrying out their regular daily responsibilities.
“A team led by Mr Buallay is working very hard to clean all areas besides normal duties,” Mr Al Sehli said.
Mr Al Sehli
“The task is not easy. We are working effortlessly as this is the highest number ever by far from any governorate in the country.”
Municipal authorities also discovered that many of the private contractors managing the boxes already offer direct doorstep collection services for used clothes and unwanted household items – making the roadside containers largely redundant.
The issue has been championed by councillor Abdulla Al Qobaisi, who has repeatedly pushed for action since 2023 following mounting complaints from residents.
“People stop on busy roads with hazard lights flashing while throwing donations into these boxes, creating serious risks of accidents,” Mr Al Qobaisi said. “They block visibility at intersections, ruin the appearance of neighbourhoods and create unnecessary danger. Residents have been demanding action for years.”
He also pointed to an unusual but grave consequence. “Cats have even turned some of these boxes into homes, and sadly many kittens have been injured or killed when the heavy metal doors slam shut,” he added.
Meanwhile, dozens of confiscated boxes already filling municipal warehouses are expected to be sold in a national public auction, with the date to be announced once authorities complete a final inventory.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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