Call for big companies in Bahrain to ensure proper waste disposal

TDT | Manama                                              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Reported by Julia Cassano

As the world is evolving and populations are increasing, more waste is generated than ever before, and now experts are calling on larger companies to implement proper waste disposal strategies.

As we all know, recycling means that less trash will be produced in our landfills, which reduces the number of toxic materials and chemicals released into the air. More companies and households contributing to the recycling process instils the conservation of energy, as well as the prevention of pollution, when raw material is used to manufacture a new product, claims Stanford University.

Nasser Mattar, director of Nidukki Trading Co W.L.L., a waste management, recycling, and cleaning company, confirmed to The Daily Tribune the importance of recycling, saying: “Recycling is a critical part of any modern society, and the main aspect of recycling is the protection of the environment.”

As an advocate of waste management and recycling in Bahrain, he discussed special ways to implement effective strategies regarding the recycling process by highlighting the benefits of recycling paper products.

“Recycling paper products means that we decrease the number of trees we are chopping down." "This is important to note as having more trees increases the CO2 extraction from the atmosphere, reducing the global greenhouse effect,” he said.

Highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in developing waste strategies Mattar stated that the Kingdom is currently developing a national waste strategy; however, it mainly focuses on how to manage the waste.

Possessing over 14 years of successful experience in the waste management and recycling field, Nasser voiced key strategies that would be effective for Bahrain, creating effective sustainable living standards as he shared his ideas on the matter, saying: “In my opinion, the strategy should require making waste disposal more extensive, introducing awareness campaigns in the national education program, and including a long-term plan on how to monitor and police the plan."

” Although, average individuals are certainly responsible for their waste disposal and product consumption, accountability from massive companies regarding their product usage and quantity of waste that wreaks havoc on the environment, should be brought to attention and accounted for.

Mattar said that the most important step for companies is to ensure that their waste is being disposed of properly, not in an unsafe or unsustainable way. “They should ensure their waste management contractor is a responsible one, one that does not dispose of the waste illegally,” he said.

“Companies should dedicate enough time to do a sufficient background check and technical evaluation of their assets and personnel.” He also shared his own experience at Nidukki, explaining that protecting the environment and natural resources is a top priority.

“We are in constant coordination with the Supreme Council for Environment to report unprofessional and illegal disposers.” However, changing the perception towards these issues comes with careful steps and planning initiatives to implement effective strategies that will help ensure a safe and protected environment. Although strict protocols should be in place to prevent illegal acts, Nasser stressed the importance of education, awareness, and encouragement for recycling.

“Encouraging and easing the process of recycling for staff should be a process, as it is difficult to implement various measures that many may not understand or contain the time to contribute.”

“The availability of sorting bins and an efficient collection system should be in place to make the effort seamless. If an employee must walk an unnecessary distance to dispose of his plastic in a bin far away in a sustainable way, they will choose the fastest option, of discarding their rubbish next to their desk so they can get back to work,” he noted. He explained that these measures require thought and planning.

For people and companies to contribute to helping the environment, and assisting their staff to do so as well, measures should be somewhat convenient to them, and this will encourage them to enact sustainable habits, on the individual level as well as in larger companies and corporations.