Garbage collection to undergo Dh500m overhaul

Under the new plan, expected to be implemented this year, garbage will be collected directly from properties, including houses and commercial and industrial establishments, said Salim bin Mohammed Al Owais, head of the Department of Municipality and Agriculture and Chairman of Bee’ah.

“Bee’ah will provide the necessary containers to help with the implementation of this process. The current system of having waste containers in the streets is unhealthy and it spoils the appearance of the emirate. A healthy and civilised system of waste collection should be adopted and Bee’ah is preparing for such a project,” he said.

Prior to the roll out of the new rubbish collection system, the emirate’s government will impose new laws to ensure compliance with the new waste disposal methods.

“The regulations will include stiff penalties to ensure compliance and smooth enforcement of the project. Now people can dump unwanted items in the common areas of their building or on streets. Such practices will no longer be allowed. Appropriate ways to get rid of items will be enforced,” he said.

The environment company – which is a 50 per cent joint venture with the Sharjah Municipality – will be responsible for collecting and transporting rubbish from houses and institutions to Al Saja’ah waste plant. Al Owais said about 4,500 tonnes of garbage are produced daily in the city of Sharjah.

“It is a huge quantity that is expected to increase due to the residential and industrial expansion in the emirate. Significant financial and human resources will be needed to carry out the project [to manage the waste].”

Founded in the middle of last year with Dh500 million in paid up capital, Bee’ah’s current assets are worth Dh300m. However, the chairman said: “We need another Dh500m to carry out the project.”

 

The company has recently purchased 45 trucks and prepared transfer stations to manage the new system, said Samer Kamal, managing director of Bee’ah. “These facilities will help expand our services to other emirates as well – a future plan of the company.”

Currently, the company focuses on managing the rubbish it has collected and separating waste, including plastics, chemicals, paper and medical waste. Up to 85 per cent of the building demolishing waste can be recycled for reuse, according to Kamal.

“By the year end, we will finish recycling all collected wastes.

Whereas, for the waste that cannot be recycled, the company has signed contracts worth Dh140m with companies specialised in burying wastes in environmentally safe and healthy ways based on international standards.”