Cash for Recycling? Bahrain Explores Smart Reverse Vending Machines

TDT | Manama 

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Bahrain is considering introducing smart reverse vending machines that reward residents with instant cash points for recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans, as part of its broader efforts to develop smarter and more sustainable cities.

Speaking at the closing session of the Smart Cities Conference, Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, said the Kingdom is studying Saudi Arabia's successful recycling model as a potential framework for implementation.

The proposed initiative is based on Saudi Arabia's reverse vending machine programme, launched in Riyadh through a partnership between the Riyadh Municipality and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC). The machines, installed in parks and public spaces, allow residents to deposit used plastic bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for instant reward points.

Acting Director of the Public Cleanliness Directorate Ammar Abdulkareem said the technology could play a key role in modernising Bahrain's waste management system, although several concepts would need to be tested locally before implementation.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahmood Al Afia, Head of Administrative Services and Coordination at the Northern Municipal Council, called for expanding recycling initiatives to include paper and wood, in addition to plastic and aluminium, to further support environmental sustainability.

Abdulhameed Al Sayeh, Head of Household Waste Regulation Operations at Estidama, said officials are preparing to send a specialised delegation to Saudi Arabia to study the initiative and develop an implementation timeline once all aspects of the project have been agreed upon.