From October, municipalities in Qatar will take strict action against entities that fail to segregate solid waste in the proper manner, as envisaged in the decision taken earlier in this regard.
This was highlighted at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Municipality Tuesday morning.
The meeting was held to raise awareness on HE the Minister of Municipality's Decision No 14 for 2022 regarding the regulations of using plastic bags, which will come into effect on November 15, in addition to the Ministerial Decision No 170 for 2021, regarding the segregation of solid waste.
It was attended by a number of ministry officials, officials and representatives of hotels, commercial complexes and other private sector organisations in the country, a press statement noted.
Ahmed Yousef al-Emadi, director of the legal affairs department; Hamad Jassim al-Bahr, director of the waste management and recycling department; Muqbil al-Shammari, director of the public cleanliness department; and Jabir Hassan al-Jabir, director of Al Rayyan Municipality, were present along with the other municipality directors, municipal affairs departments' directors and officials concerned.
Al-Emadi welcomed the participants and stressed the role of the private sector as a main partner of the Ministry of Municipality to implement such ministerial decisions. He said the private sector is a main contributor to economic development in the country and has a social responsibility.
Regarding Ministerial Decision No 170 for 2021 on the segregation of solid waste, he said all organisations, companies and entities concerned should provide sorting containers for waste, and it has been noticed that the decision is not implemented in the proper and desired way.
Accordingly, starting from October 1, municipalities will take all necessary legal procedures and impose relevant penalties on violators who fail to implement the decision and do not ensure proper segregation of waste on their premises.
He said the decision regarding the use of plastic bags has specified a certain type of recyclable bags and banned single-use bags that have an harmful impact on the environment, and said the country is working to limit the use of such bags. He noted that the Ministry of Municipality has held a number of meetings with representatives of plastic factories to ensure the implementation of technical standards and specifications for such bags.
Al-Emadi explained that some organisations and facilities started to use biodegradable and environment-friendly bags from the time the decision was issued. He thanked them for having such a high-level of awareness to limit waste and to maintain the environment, as they are a good example to be followed.
The official stressed that the competent departments at municipalities will follow up and ensure the implementation of the ministerial decision through their health control sections. He noted that the standards and specifications for plastic bags have been put in place as part of the health conditions for retailers, shops and commercial outlets. The conditions will be applicable to the packing of foodstuff, which will be monitored by the Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Public Health.
Al-Bahr said some factories have already replaced lines for manufacturing plastic bags with those that comply with the specifications, which would eventually reduce the quantity of plastic bags. He noted that the new bags should have symbols indicating that they are recyclable, biodegradable or reusable to comply with the decision.
Before the meeting concluded, an open discussion was held among the participants, and the officials responded to the questions of the representatives of hotels, companies and commercial complexes.
This was highlighted at a meeting convened by the Ministry of Municipality Tuesday morning.
Ahmed Yousef al-Emadi
The meeting was held to raise awareness on HE the Minister of Municipality's Decision No 14 for 2022 regarding the regulations of using plastic bags, which will come into effect on November 15, in addition to the Ministerial Decision No 170 for 2021, regarding the segregation of solid waste.
It was attended by a number of ministry officials, officials and representatives of hotels, commercial complexes and other private sector organisations in the country, a press statement noted.
Hamad Jassim al-Bahr
Ahmed Yousef al-Emadi, director of the legal affairs department; Hamad Jassim al-Bahr, director of the waste management and recycling department; Muqbil al-Shammari, director of the public cleanliness department; and Jabir Hassan al-Jabir, director of Al Rayyan Municipality, were present along with the other municipality directors, municipal affairs departments' directors and officials concerned.
Muqbil al-Shammari
Al-Emadi welcomed the participants and stressed the role of the private sector as a main partner of the Ministry of Municipality to implement such ministerial decisions. He said the private sector is a main contributor to economic development in the country and has a social responsibility.
Regarding Ministerial Decision No 170 for 2021 on the segregation of solid waste, he said all organisations, companies and entities concerned should provide sorting containers for waste, and it has been noticed that the decision is not implemented in the proper and desired way.
Jabir Hassan al-Jabir
Accordingly, starting from October 1, municipalities will take all necessary legal procedures and impose relevant penalties on violators who fail to implement the decision and do not ensure proper segregation of waste on their premises.
He said the decision regarding the use of plastic bags has specified a certain type of recyclable bags and banned single-use bags that have an harmful impact on the environment, and said the country is working to limit the use of such bags. He noted that the Ministry of Municipality has held a number of meetings with representatives of plastic factories to ensure the implementation of technical standards and specifications for such bags.
Al-Emadi explained that some organisations and facilities started to use biodegradable and environment-friendly bags from the time the decision was issued. He thanked them for having such a high-level of awareness to limit waste and to maintain the environment, as they are a good example to be followed.
The official stressed that the competent departments at municipalities will follow up and ensure the implementation of the ministerial decision through their health control sections. He noted that the standards and specifications for plastic bags have been put in place as part of the health conditions for retailers, shops and commercial outlets. The conditions will be applicable to the packing of foodstuff, which will be monitored by the Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Public Health.
Al-Bahr said some factories have already replaced lines for manufacturing plastic bags with those that comply with the specifications, which would eventually reduce the quantity of plastic bags. He noted that the new bags should have symbols indicating that they are recyclable, biodegradable or reusable to comply with the decision.
Before the meeting concluded, an open discussion was held among the participants, and the officials responded to the questions of the representatives of hotels, companies and commercial complexes.