Waste mounts in Sharjah

Mismanagement of construction waste and surplus construction material has led to serious problems in Sharjah as contractors continue to dump the waste in some areas of the city.

Rather than drawing up and putting into place waste management plans that will make construction activity more environmentally friendly, some contractors prefer to take the easy way out and dump the accumulated waste material in areas not meant for dumping.

Construction waste continues to mount at various construction sites in the city of Sharjah, but more so in the industrial areas. Al Nahda and Al Qusais Areas have been among the main sites where contractors dump the waste in clear violation of municipal laws and regulations.

The high financial expenses of initiating a management waste plan at the construction site have prompted many contractors to resort to less expensive plans. To many contractors, dumping the waste material at public properties is the cheapest choice, but handling these waste and treating them, would be very expensive and result in a serious pollution and environment problems.

Adopting waste management plans would contribute in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, Hani M., a contractor in Sharjah, said.

"The main focus of such plans is to reduce the generation of waste on site. With careful planning, a large amount of waste can be avoided. Any waste that is generated by those in the construction industry is to be handled in the most environmentally sound way such as reducing, reusing, and recycling," he explained.

Recycled materials should be favoured during construction, observed Mahmoud N., another contractor. "Durable materials should also be used especially that they are energy saving.

Sharjah Municipality has allowed some contractors to dump construction waste at certain areas in the city for leveling swamps, Sultan Al Moala, Head of the Engineering Section of Sharjah Municipality, told Khaleej Times.

"Dumping construction debris is being sanctioned by the municipality which studies the adequate locations to make use of building waste.

Contractors who undertake the responsibility of dumping construction waste should stick to the law and dump these waste at special landfills," he said.

"A fine of Dh 5,000 will be imposed on contracting firms that violate the municipal regulations by dumping waste at areas which are not approved by the civic body," Mr Moala explained, adding that the municipality has conducted several studies to determine the best sites for dumping these waste.

According to contracts that are signed between the contractors and municipality, construction wastes including wood, gypsum, metals, asphalt, plastics, fiberglass, cardboard, used fixtures, metal waste, among others, should be dumped at landfills specified by the municipality.

Accumulated waste of demolished buildings at construction sites as well as other waste resulting from on-going construction work, should be dumped at certain landfills specified by the municipality and fines are imposed on offenders.