Enhanced waste management to ensure public hygiene

The General Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has announc

The General Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has announced its preparations for the holy month of Ramadan by intensifying its efforts and increasing the number of cleaners, equipment and containers across all municipalities to remove waste. According to an MME press statement yesterday, the initiative will see the participation of 1,482 workers, 659 drivers, 1,112 vehicles and 158 supervisers, while a total of 75,615 containers have been placed in different areas. The work plan includes increasing the number of containers and replacing small containers with larger ones to account for the quantum of waste in densely populated areas. It also envisages conducting cleaning campaigns around mosques, creating additional routes for vehicles to remove waste from some sites, increasing the number of cleaners on main streets to collect waste, intensifying automated sweeping operations on both internal and external roads, and washing containers on a regular basis, the statement notes. The department has stressed the important of putting household waste in trash bags designated for this purpose and dumping such waste in designated containers properly, and not next to the bins as this may lead to garbage being scattered around especially due to winds. Also, private cars should not be parked near the containers as this may hinder the process of emptying the bins, and people should not put solid construction waste inside household waste containers. The department has started its preparations for the holy month from an early date with the aim of providing the necessary services and achieve sustainability goals. Accordingly, an adequate number of equipment, vehicles, workers, supervisers and garbage collection containers are provided, especially on commercial streets and in public parking areas. Along with these, the department conducts awareness programmes with a focus on the sorting of waste. The department hopes that all citizens and residents will help make these plans and programmes successful, reminding the public about the recent addition of a household furniture waste disposal service. Through co-ordination with the administration and reporting the matter by phone, a date will be set for the removal of such items and the mode of transport for this purpose depending on the size and type of items.