A simple idea born out of residents’ complaints is set to become a nationwide cleanliness initiative, with Bahrain preparing to instal instructional stickers on public rubbish bins to discourage littering, illegal dumping and other practices that leave neighbourhoods strewn with waste.
The Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry has approved the concept proposed by Northern Municipal Council councillor Abdulla Ashoor, confirming that the initiative is now being studied for implementation across all four governorates in co-ordination with waste collection contractor Urbaser Bahrain and Gulf City Cleaning Company.
The stickers will carry clear instructions and warnings, including reminders not to throw rubbish bags outside bins, not to move containers from their designated locations and not to feed birds or stray animals, alongside notices highlighting the applicable municipal fines.
Municipalities Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said the proposal reflected the government’s commitment to promoting public cleanliness and enhancing community awareness.
“The proposal is currently being studied by the relevant departments in co-ordination with Urbaser Bahrain and Gulf City Cleaning Company to examine the technical and implementation aspects, approved designs and the most suitable mechanism for execution,” he said.
“The objective is to achieve the desired awareness goals and ensure unified educational content across all governorates. The council will be informed once the study is completed.”
The proposal was originally submitted by Mr Ashoor following repeated complaints from residents about rubbish being scattered after people searched through waste containers for recyclable materials.
Under the plan, every municipal rubbish bin would display permanent guidance stickers reminding the public to dispose of waste responsibly while warning against behaviours that contribute to litter, public health risks and environmental damage.
Mr Ashoor yesterday welcomed the ministry’s positive response during the council’s general-secretariat meeting, describing it as an important step towards cleaner neighbourhoods.
“This is a simple idea with the potential to make a significant difference,” he said.
“We constantly receive complaints from residents about rubbish being pulled out of bins and left scattered across roads and pavements. The problem is not the bins themselves, but what happens after they are opened and abandoned in a mess.”
He said the stickers would reinforce the municipality’s awareness campaigns while encouraging greater public responsibility.
Mr Ashoor added that the initiative would also help reduce the spread of rodents and stray animals attracted by exposed waste while preserving Bahrain’s urban appearance.
“The cost of implementation is very low compared with the long-term benefits,” he said.
“If even a small percentage of irresponsible behaviour is reduced, our streets will become cleaner, municipal workers will spend less time clearing scattered rubbish and residents will enjoy a healthier environment.”
The proposal was unanimously endorsed by the Northern Municipal Council in April before being referred to the ministry.
“If the technical study confirms the implementation mechanism, instructional stickers are expected to become a common feature on rubbish bins throughout Bahrain, providing constant reminders that keeping the kingdom clean is a shared responsibility between government and the public,” said Mr Ashoor.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))