Ras Al Khaimah handles 700 tons of daily waste

Ras Al Khaimah - To make the emirate 100 per cent sustainable, the department is all set to handle 75 per cent of hotel waste by 2021.

Around 700 tons of daily waste from across Ras Al Khaimah is collected and handled by the Waste Management Agency, an affiliate of the Department of Public Works.
There has been a drop of 10 per cent in the volume of waste this Ramadan as compared to last year, according to a top official.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, director-general of the department, said the significant waste decline in the holy month reflects the growing community awareness.
"Up to 14 tons of electronic waste has been separately collected this year so far," he revealed. "This waste has been referred to the sorting plant for recycling."
To make the emirate 100 per cent sustainable, the department is all set to handle 75 per cent of hotel waste by 2021, he pointed out. "We have contracted some international companies to generate power out of the waste."
The food waste centre has handled 67 tons of food leftovers this year so far, Hammadi underlined. "These are converted into fertilisers in line with the 2071 national agenda."

Medical waste to mount due to Covid

Given the Covid-19 situation, Hammadi expects a sharp rise in medical waste. "People are using more gloves, masks, and sanitisers and disinfectants because of the global pandemic."
The department handled 1,900 tons of medical waste last year following international measures.
"We are adhering to stringent, safe and careful procedures in destroying medical waste, particularly Covid-19 swabs and blood tests."
Medical waste is collected in special yellow bags that are tightly closed and moved in special vehicles, he explained.
"The waste is kept in a closed and isolated place, and then destroyed in a totally safe manner."

• Ras Al Khaimah