Overflowing rubbish on Abu Dhabi streets poses health risk

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Residents voice concerns over health risks from litter spilling out of garbage cans and steel waste containers on Electra street in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Residents fed up with foul smells and traffic congestion have asked that something be done about overflowing bins left out on the city’s streets.

They said the rubbish was a health risk and that the large metal bins blocked traffic.

“The problem is always from the big buildings that have their own steel containers and these are placed beside the bins,” said Al Zahiyah resident Motiullah Khan. “They give off a foul smell and pose health risks for all.”

The Pakistani said authorities should enforce the regulations.

It was routine, he said, for the building’s security guards to “place their bins on the road and it smells bad because stuff is rotting in there”.

On a trip around central Abu Dhabi, open bins were spotted in areas and streets including Al Zahiyah, Al Falah, Fatima bint Mubarak, Khalifa, Madinat Zayed and Defence.

“Authorities should not compromise the public’s health and fine the rules violators,” said Sabir Ali, an Indian resident of Electra Street. “It’s very difficult to get past these bins when they are lined up.”

Mohammed Zaytoun, a resident of Fatima bint Mubarak Street, said at any time of the day you could find the steel bins lined up there. “Security guards leave overflowing bins for an hour or two before the collection lorries come, so bad smells spread,” said the Egyptian.

A security guard in the Madinat Zayed area said he was following the rules. “You tell me a place where I can put my bin?” he said. “This is the place for collection, so we put it here.”

A spokesman for Tadweer, the city’s waste management company, said bins belonging to commercial and residential buildings must be placed away from streets and parking bays, under the supervision of the building watchman and that ­offenders faced prosecution and heavy fines.