Monday, October 26, 2009

DM to address phenomenon of tampering with waste containers


Dubai Municipality has called upon the public and the establishments to cooperate with the Waste Management Department to address the phenomenon of tampering with waste containers and scattering of their contents to keep the city clean and beautiful.

Eng. Hassan Makki, Director of Waste Management at Dubai Municipality said this phenomenon is considered to be bad culture that distorts the appearance of the city and the beauty of the streets.
He said the Municipality has organized several warning campaigns to address this phenomenon. "We have prepared a number of warning posters and notifications to include various categories, and they will be placed on Municipality waste containers in order to stop this phenomenon of tampering with the containers and scattering their contents," said Makki.
He added that it was noted recently that some individuals from private establishments or wandering workers dig up and scatter the contents of the Municipality waste containers.

"It is an uncivilized behaviour that leads to a distortion of the general appearance of the city and it also poses a risk to the offenders themselves as well as leaves the area surrounding the containers in poor hygienic conditions. It should be noted that the contents of these containers are the property of the Municipality as long as they are within the containers," said Makki.
"The contents of the containers are considered to be protected as they are recyclable materials. It is one of the targets of the Department to activate the role of strategic partners in waste recycling projects in the emirate by feeding waste separation plants of recyclable materials," he said.
"Any person tampering with these containers or scattering their contents will be violating the Local Order No. 11 of 2003, which states that it is prohibited for any person to tamper with waste containers or digging up its contents. Any person who violates this order shall be fined Dhs500," said Makki.

"If caught, the Waste Management Department will fine these people; confiscate their tools and contact with the companies they belong to so as not allow them to carry out this practice. Coordination will be sought from the concerned authorities to take necessary actions towards people who have no documents," he said.
The Director of Waste Management Department called upon the public to help catch offenders by reporting about such persons by contacting the Area offices of the Department or the Emergency Unit of the Municipality.

He noted that private companies involved in waste recycling and waste treatment activities bear responsibility to their employees who commit such acts.

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