Bahrain’s e-Waste Management Needs Impetus

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has a proactive approach towards e-waste management. The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) classifies electronic waste as hazardous and has partnered with telecom operators to roll out IoT-based electronic waste collection, transportation and monitoring systems. Bahrain’s initiative to rally e-waste collection has paid off very well as a result of this corporations like Zain Bahrain run highly successful annual national e-waste competitions targeting schools, collecting up to 8.6 tonnes of electronics during individual drives. However, inspite of these commendable measures and efforts, the rate of e-waste generation has been picking steadily. Currently the per capita e-waste generation is at 17.8 kg. This is an indicator that needs immediate attention and requires ramped up corporate disposal and rejuvenated public collection drives.

The e-waste output in Bahrain also shows that the nation is firmly tech-savvy and the turnover of tech equipment relates to the fact that updation and upgradation is happening at a rapid pace. This is a positive sign for a fast moving economy that is building its momentum on technology, but it is equally important to ensure that the pace of recycling catches up with that of consumption. The concept of circular economy that is AI-driven coupled with stricter extended producer responsibility (EPR) can bring outstanding results in e-waste management for Bahrain. The EPR can mandate manufacturers to use QR codes to trace electronic components through their collection pipelines to prove they met the required recycling quotas. Bahrain can also deploy AI and smart robotics to power automated disassembly lines that identify and sort hazardous reusable components safely and accurately.

Similarly, bioleaching and hydrometallurgy are yet another options for clean metal recovery from e-waste. These methods supersede polluting traditional smelting processes by utilising bacteria and precise chemical liquids to extract precious metals and rare earth elements safely. In addition to these measures, Bahrain can also explore utilising blockchain to track electronics from manufacture to disposal. This transparent tracking ensures responsible recycling and adherence to applicable compliances. To add more power to e-waste management drive, Bahrain can ensure that the electronic manufacturers design only those products that have modular hardware with longer lifespans, prioritising upgradeability, therefore making devices easier to repair or dismantle. Additionally, e-commerce platforms must also be encouraged to implement programs that allow consumers to conveniently return old devices directly upon delivery of new ones.

Finally, for any initiative to succeed larger public participation is a must. So for a revived e-waste management strategy to gain momentum, Bahrain can encourage manufacturers to place interactive recycling kiosks inside shopping hubs and residential clusters. These systems gamify waste management, offering consumers direct financial incentives or store rewards, boosting baseline public participation and thereby make the project successful.

Efficient e-waste management is critical to ensure responsible growth of economy, Bahrain can ensure the same by ramping up the e-waste management strategy..

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Daily Tribune)