Hairdressers, salons, massage parlours and spas across Bahrain could soon be required to use special disposable bins or bags for hazardous waste, including razor blades, single-use towels, threads and blood-contaminated items.
The proposal has been submitted by five MPs led by Strategic Thinking Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom, who is also chairman of Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee, amid growing concerns that dangerous waste from the beauty and personal care industry is being disposed of as normal domestic rubbish.
Mr Al Salloom said the initiative was prompted by real-life incidents that exposed the health and safety risks posed by improper waste disposal.
“A kitten burst into a black rubbish bag and started chewing on blades thinking they were toys,” he said.
“Despite the strong hygiene procedures and inspection regimes carried out by the Health Ministry, there is a clear lack of monitoring when it comes to how this type of waste is ultimately disposed of.”
He stressed that sharp and contaminated items pose a serious risk not only to animals, but also to waste collectors, cleaners and the wider community, potentially spreading infections and diseases.
The proposal calls for salons and similar outlets to be required to keep dedicated hazardous waste bags or bins, which would be collected and disposed of by licensed specialised companies, rather than ending up in public waste containers.
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