She's just flowered for the third time this year, my beautiful rose.  She's struggled for three years to communicate her needs to stupid old me.  I never gave up on her - a gift three years ago - and she never gave up on me.  I'm truly thankful for that, for she gives me hope that others can learn similar lessons about nurturing nature.

If, like me, you’re perplexed by the prevalence of garbage on beaches and in green spaces in Bahrain and elsewhere - witness the appalling mess recently left by beach users in Bournemouth, UK when they let rip after being freed from lockdown restrictions - it would seem we have a long way to go in learning our lessons.

Look around when you’re next out and about.  The people you see are the ones creating the mess. Yes, those people, one of whom you may have had a pleasant conversation with moments before in a shop or could it be they are your friend and colleague?  They seemed pretty nice don't they?  You won’t know which person is the culprit in the group unless you witness their action but it’s highly likely at least one has accidentally (giving them the benefit of the doubt), carelessly (very probably) or purposefully (I sincerely hope not) dropped something that has ended up on one of the beaches or in a green space that you and your family use. 

Granted some trash could have washed ashore on the tide from a distant land or drifted in on the breeze, landing close to a bench but not in a nearby bin.  But I’d hazard a guess that most of the detritus is generated by us, here, now.  Individuals, companies, organisations all of whom should know better.  Many are tired of hearing we don’t have the resources. Money isn’t the issue; thought, care, creative thinking and, dare I say it, common sense is in short supply. 

Let me ask you something.  If you saw someone “accidentally” or “forgetfully” drop a piece of trash on the ground in front of you, what would you do?

• Give them a thumbs-up and congratulate them on their (un)thoughtfulness
• Look the other way and keep on walking, mumbling under your breath about their inconsiderate behaviour
• Politely ask the person if they’ve dropped something by accident and would they like it back to dispose of it properly, or
•  Wait until they’ve gone and pick up the offending item and dispose of it responsibly? 

As a general rule I’m not a fan of corporate sponsored voluntary clean-ups except as an educational programme or analytical tool to determine where the waste comes from and its make-up so that targeted action can be implemented and myths busted:  In a clean-up I co-organised on a 1km stretch of mangrove area in Qatar, more than 250 dog owners and their families proved that, contrary to popular belief, the greater part of the trash that we stumbled across on our dog walks came from industrial and commercial sources and NOT casual beach users – you wouldn’t believe what we found or perhaps sadly you would...   
 
I struggle to see how picking up after people will solve the root cause of the problem.  Simply put, dropping trash anywhere is an anti-social behaviour.  We all know (well most of us do) that it’s inappropriate to chuck something on the ground for someone else to pick up - it is unsightly, potentially dangerous and ultimately damaging to the enviornment - but somehow we seem to enable others to continue this behaviour by continually cleaning up the mess they make.  Surely it would be better to address the underlying causes?

I recently read in the GDN (10 July 2020 p3) that Amwaj Islands Management propose to increase beach cleaning services as a solution to the problem of trash on their beaches.   

Will this solve the problem or enable it to continue?  Certainly, beach users will find a miraculously clean beach every morning after every irresponsible use.  Meanwhile frustrated, caring and responsible residents and visitors will continue to look on in despair.
 
Thanks to Covid-19, we all know how to wash our hands properly.  Perhaps we can also learn how to minimise waste, divert it away from landfill to a recycling or upcycling stream or not generate it in the first place?

Below are some "off-the-top-of-my-head" ideas that might help to gradually change behaviours for the good of the environment and the community.  They could apply to any public or private area.  Some may already be in place.  Others a distant dream.  They may not be practical in every situation but they are a starting point for action.   Afterall, envionmental stewardship could create jobs and a thriving business sector at a time when it is much needed.
 
Protecting the environment is OUR collective responsibility NOT someone else’s.  Mother nature entrusted us with her care.  We are failing her.  Please don’t use Covid-19 as an excuse to go backwards.  It is an opportunity for changes in behaviours and ways of doing and being for the good of all.  There are many environmental activists and sustainability experts in Bahrain who are ready to help you shape the solutions that will work for everyone AND the environment.
 
A pipe dream?  Costs too much?  The environment cannot afford our carelessness…  And my rose is desparate for you and me to learn.

A few ideas to rid streets, beaches and green spaces of trash

• In collaboration with your community, establish and train a remunerated Green Team comprised of Community Environmental Wardens with the authority and expertise to challenge and educate people about their waste disposal and waste minimisation habits.  Fund this team by a fee system - see (4) and (5). 
• Ensure that there are clean, shaded, regularly emptied, bins at all locations.  Set up a managed Recycling Centre in a fully accessible central location overseen by the Green Team, with clear instructions and training about what goes where and how different waste streams should be managed.  Organic waste can eventually fertilise your green spaces.  A points system or similar for those recycling correctly could be used, with points exchanged for upcycled and/or eco-friendly products made by local artisans. 
• Introduce a comprehensive plan to educate tenants and visitors about correct waste segregation, recycling and disposal – explore the potential for a “community swap shop” for pre-loved but no longer wanted items. 
• Implement a non-residents refundable waste management fee for all public spaces, say BD2 per visit, refundable when users carry out what they brought in and/or recycle it at the centre described in (2).  The hashtag #bagitbinitbahrain or similar could be used.
• Introduce an Environmental Plan clause in the leases of all businesses in a development to include a waste minimisation plan for each organisation with measureable targets for waste reduction.  All businesses pay an environmental levy to help fund the Green Team in (1).  Reward the best performing businesses as appropriate.
• Launch an annual “Clean and Green” street/building competition for residents to build a community environmental ethic with a suitable incentive e.g. 10% reduction in management fees for the winning street/building.  Establish an area for communal gardening and encourage roof top gardening. Develop a water conservation plan. 
• Ban single use plastic items in your development, install water fountains in busy areas and giveaway reusable water and drinks containers for residents, available for purchase for visitors. 
• Work with contractors to have safe, clean, green and sustainable work sites to prevent their waste ending up on public beaches and in green spaces.  Consider making this a contractual requirement (if not already in place) for all developments, large and small.
• Inspire and respect all sectors and segments of your community by leading by example and adopting a Zero Waste Target for your development/building/business.
• Engage with existing non-profit and voluntary groups and experts who are ready to help you.  Support them to support you and the environment.  Look at the best examples in Bahrain and learn from them.

Contact: Dr Sarah Clarke , Director, DSC Solutions, Sarah@dscwll.com