Bahrain Emerges as a Recycling Leader in the Arab World

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

In a remarkable feat, the Kingdom of Bahrain has emerged as one of the top recyclers of waste in the Arab world, ranking 9th regionally and 4th among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2022. According to a report published on the "World Population Review" website, Bahrain recycled an impressive 14.1% of its total waste.

The report's findings showcase a growing trend of increased recycling rates across the globe. Leading the way in the Arab world is Egypt, which recycles a staggering 26.6% of its waste, followed by Morocco at 25.5% and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 24.5%. Saudi Arabia comes in fourth among Arab countries, recycling around 18.8% of its waste.

Other notable performers include Iraq, which recycles 15.4% of its waste, Kuwait at 15.4%, Lebanon at around 15%, and Jordan at 14.6%. Oman, ranked 5th among GCC countries, recycled 13.9% of its waste, while Qatar came in 13th among Arab nations and 6th in the GCC, recycling 6% of its waste.

The report highlighted that over the past decades, recycling rates have risen significantly worldwide, with Germany leading the pack as the country with the highest recycling rate globally, recycling around 56% of its total waste.

Austria, another European nation, also boasts an exceptionally high recycling rate, ranking second in the world with nearly 54% of its waste being recycled. This remarkable achievement is largely attributed to Austria's strict legislative measures, which prohibit the disposal of any products with a total organic carbon emission rate exceeding 5% in landfills, mandating their recycling through various means.

In contrast, the report noted that the United States lags behind many other countries in terms of recycling efforts, as there is a lack of comprehensive federal-level rules and regulations on the matter, resulting in some states performing significantly better than others.

South Korea, however, is giving European nations a run for their money, with a recycling rate of around 53.7%. The country has a thriving private sector involved in waste collection, recycling, and resale, with a significant portion of its recyclables being exported to China.

As the world continues to grapple with the mounting challenges of waste management, the report's findings underscore the critical importance of implementing robust recycling policies and infrastructure to drive sustainable development and environmental protection. Bahrain's impressive performance in this area serves as a shining example for other nations in the region to follow suit and contribute to a greener, more circular economy.