(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As Sharjah sleeps illegals and absconders scour through residents waste looking for recyclable items to sell. The practice is a highly dangerous one say officials
Waste scavenging may lead to a major public health hazard officials have warned. — File photo used for graphic purpose
Despite intensified efforts being carried out by the authorities concerned to curb the practice of scavenging garbage bins in residential areas in Sharjah the practice has become more prevalent and is leaving residents annoyed.
Residents of Al Musalla Maisaloon Al Butina Al Majaz and Al Qasimiya have complained of scavengers who spread filth in their areas which in turn attracts insects and flies.
These scavengers reportedly are active between 3am to 5.30am. Residents report seeing Asians scouring garbage bins to “collect plastic bags empty bottles of perfumes cans and other random items”.
Last week this Khaleej Times reporter waited in Al Musalla area pretending to be a housewife to interact with one such scavenger. Sure enough a Bangladeshi Mohammed Akbar 54 turned up to scour a garbage bin.
He said he collects black plastic bags and sells them to recycling companies. “I collect anywhere between 10kg to 15kg of plastic bags per day which I sell for Dh2 to Dh5 per kilogramme.”
He has rented a bed space in Sharjah Industrial Area and uses his cycle to commute to residential areas in Sharjah. He said he also collects bottles of perfume. “I make between Dh50 to Dh75 per day. After my general expenses I save the rest.”
Akbar said he used to wash cars for a living earlier but the Sharjah Municipality banned this. “I don’t want to take the risk and wash cars illegally.”
Another scavenger who identified himself as Munir spoke very little. He doesn’t have any documents like Emirates ID or even a passport and has been doing this for the past three years. “I collect garbage in Al Wahda Street and around industrial areas near Al Yasmeen building. I collect plastic bags cans bottles and cardboards which I sell to recycling companies.”
He made an unveiled threat for those looking to scavenge in his “territory”. “I will assault them as this is my area and I have been working here for the past three years” he said.
Residents helpless
Mustafa Sayani a resident of Sharjah who resides near Jamal Abdul Nasser street said scattered garbage attracts stray dogs and cats. “These animals then spread the garbage further in the area” he said. “We have complained about the practice to the Sharjah Municipality but officials there told us that Bee’ah (waste management company) is the authority concerned. We didn’t approach Bee’ah but the practice is very annoying.”
Sayani said he approached one scavenger and told him to stop spreading garbage. “He was unmoved and told me I had no right to ask him to stop.”
Sayani said he sees scavengers scouring the six garbage bins near the Yasmeen building. “I hope this message reaches the authority concerned so that appropriate action can be taken to put an end to the practice once and for all.”
Another resident of Al Wahda Street said there is a permanent stench from scattered garbage in the area. “Authorities must take action to stop the practice.”
Bee’ah responds
Bee’ah has said that it is doing all it can to put an end to the practice of scavenging. The practice the company said is even dangerous for scavengers themselves.
Fahad Shehail chief operating officer at Bee’ah said scavenging or waste digging by unauthorised individuals “continues to pose a dire risk to the emirate’s well-being”. “The Sharjah Environment Company in cooperation with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Sharjah and the Sharjah Municipality have continued their relentless campaigns to curb such acts.
“Waste scavenging is considered as an act that hinders the efficiency and process of professional waste management systems and may lead to a major public health hazard due to unsanitary handling of waste without the use of protective gear and appropriate tools. This is the easiest way for harmful diseases and airborne viruses to be transmitted into schools and the broader community. Additionally it significantly erodes the foundation of the emirate’s modern waste management system by the inefficient use of recyclable materials” said Shehail.
To curb the practice Bee’ah — through Tandeef the street cleaning and waste management division — has coordinated directly with the Sharjah Municipality and Sharjah Police to locate and report scavengers.
Bee’ah has urged Sharjah residents to report any scavenging activity by calling 800-Tandeef (800-8263333).
A Sharjah Municipality official admitted that the practice is prevalent in residential areas. “Scavenging is done mostly by unemployed illegals and absconders. Bee’ah is making all efforts to control and curb the practice in coordination with the municipality and other authorities concerned” the official said.
He noted that a recent campaign against scavenging carried out by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs of Sharjah in coordination with Bee’ah and the Sharjah Municipality has been effective in curbing it.
A top official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs of Sharjah said a dedicated anti-scavenging task force has been set up to patrol collection areas in the emirate to investigate individuals going through municipal containers and to deal with illegal immigrants in accordance to the UAE regulations.