Trash cans are never too far Go find that bin, litterbug

What do you do when you have rubbish to throw away but the waste bin is "too far away"? Do you walk the distance as the responsible citizen you're meant to be or do you sneakily chuck it on the side of the road?

Some residents might have been complaining that "there aren't enough bins around", but that can no longer be used as an excuse for their lack of manners and disregard for Earth's health - not in Dubai, at least.

The municipality has added thousands of waste bins - outside villas, apartment buildings, in parks, beaches, malls, outside mosques and on the streets - so that people can dispose of their trash properly. And it's not just bins for general waste: Bins to help segregate trash have also been made available.

Head onto any mall and beach in Dubai and you'll see waste bins for plastics, paper and general waste.

"I think the authorities in the UAE are extremely conscious about making the country green and keeping it clean. It's never ever difficult to spot a trash can or a recycling bin. The reason why people litter is not due to lack of amenities or facilities. Rather, it can be attributed to an appalling lack of civic sense," said a Dubai resident, Iram Rizvi.

"Till about two years back, we lived in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Each floor had a room with a garbage chute. But there were many times when I would open the door to the garbage room to find trash dumped on the floor, right next to the garbage chute. We now live in Gardens where each building has a huge, covered trash can as well as recycling bins. But I have lost count of the times I've seen garbage bags kept right next to the trash can."

Rizvi insisted that an effective way to curb this behaviour would be to fine individuals who litter and implement a "black point system" for litterbugs.

"These individuals want the trash out of their house and sight, so they take it out but they cannot take another 30 seconds to make the effort to put the trash where it belongs - in the garbage chute or the trash can," she added.

An Abu Dhabi resident, Lalitha Manikandan, said she does not have a recycling bin outside their villa, but that doesn't mean she does not recycle.

The family collects recyclable items in their car shed, such as printed papers, newspapers, carton boxes, plastic bottles and cans. She said "not having enough bins around" cannot be an excuse to litter.

If the lack of waste bins is a serious problem in your neighbourhood, you can file a complaint or make a suggestion to the municipality.