JEDDAH, 3 January 2005 — A city without garbage containers may be a pipedream for Jeddah residents though a project to that end is under way.
The project was initiated by the Jeddah municipality a few months ago. It was first tried in two districts: Al-Shati and the Prince Fawwaz Project. The plan is that it will expand to include the entire city.
The plan is to remove garbage containers from the streets and have garbage bags picked up by garbage collectors from doorsteps.
The project aims to put an end to the garbage digging phenomenon, mostly by African women looking for items that can be recycled. Their searches also scatter a good deal of trash.
Citizens’ opinions regarding the new project are mixed.
Umm Omar, who lives in Al-Shati District, said: “The new system is good. Workers come everyday at 6 a.m. to collect garbage from doorsteps, and they come in the evening as well. Unfortunately, people do not follow the rules and do not put their garbage out at the right times. This means the garbage diggers scatter rubbish everywhere and the collectors have to clean up after them.”
Some people think this is a step that should have been taken long ago. Others think that the project could be handled better.
Ahmad, a geography teacher, said: “The idea itself is fine; however, it would be better if people put their garbage in different bags. One for metal, one for paper, one for food and so on. That way, the garbage could be easily recycled and the sea could be spared all the trash that is thrown into it.”
Amani, who lives in an area of Al-Shati that is not yet part of the new system, said: “Not all people are aware of sticking to the right times to put out the garbage. If the garbage collectors do their job in the best way, the public may not and so the garbage will be out at a time when the collectors are not there. That will mean that garbage will be scattered everywhere.”
Muhammad, a businessman, said: “We usually complain about the stench from garbage containers near our houses. And now we are being asked to put the garbage on our doorsteps. This will attract cats and insects which will only make additional problems.”
