80% of Doha Households Receive Waste Segregation Containers

80 of Doha Households Receive Waste Segregation Containers

To enhance recycling efforts and promote sustainability and a circular economy, the Ministry of Municipality has distributed waste segregation containers to around 80 percent of households in Doha, according to a senior official.

"In the second phase of the waste sorting at source program, the General Cleanliness Department is placing blue containers next to grey ones to allow for the separate disposal of recyclable materials and organic waste," stated Eng. Hamad Jassim Al Bahr, Director of the Waste Recycling and Treatment Department.

He explained that this initiative is part of a five-year strategy by the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the General Cleanliness Department, to provide two types of containers – blue and grey.

"Approximately 80 percent of areas in Doha have received blue containers for household waste collection after source segregation. These blue containers collect recyclable waste, which is then sent to recycling plants operating in Al Afja, Mesaieed," said Al Bahr. He also mentioned that the Ministry is conducting a campaign to educate the public on the importance of recycling and waste reduction.

"The annual Recycling Towards Sustainability Conference & Exhibition promotes recycling for sustainability, with the 5th edition scheduled for this year," added Al Bahr.

Located in Mesaieed Industrial Area, about 40km south of Doha, Al Afja is being developed into a hub for the recycling industry to support Qatar’s ambitious sustainability and circular economy goals.

"Fifty plots of land have been allocated for the construction of recycling factories in Al Afja, focusing on materials such as plastic, paper, wood, oil, medical waste, and organic waste," he noted.

Al Bahr emphasized the necessity of such recycling factories to reduce landfill waste.

The Waste Recycling and Treatment Department has promoted the waste sorting at source program across the country, targeting households, companies, factories, and institutions to ease the burden on waste management systems.

The General Cleanliness Department has placed 1,049 blue containers next to existing grey containers in areas like Umm Lakhba, Madinat Khalifa Al Shamalia, Al Markhiya, Nuaijah, and Hilal. Additionally, 934 blue containers have been provided in Lejbailat, Hazm Al Markhiya, and Al Qassar, as well as in Freej Abdul Aziz, Al Aseeri, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Muntazah, Al Salata Al Jadeeda, Al Duhail, and Madinat Khalifa.

Blue containers are designated for recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, paper, and metals, while grey containers are for food waste and cleaning materials. The second phase of the waste sorting at source program, currently being implemented in Doha, will run for over two years until 2025 and aims to cover all households.

In 2026, the program will expand to Umm Salal, Al Daayen, Al Khor, and Al Shamal, and by the end of 2027, it will be implemented in Al Rayan, Al Wakra, and Al Sheehaniya. The program is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 to promote recycling and support a circular economy.