The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture places significant importance on the issue of cleanliness in the Kingdom of Bahrain—a relentless, clockwork-like operation that begins in the early hours of the morning and continues late into the day, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It is a continuous endeavor and an endless stream of services that might go unnoticed by the public at first glance, but whose value becomes evident when any disruption occurs—whether in household waste collection, street sweeping, debris removal, grass cutting and clearing, cleaning of public squares, draining rainwater from streets and open areas, or maintaining cleanliness across coastlines, public facilities, parks, and recreational areas. The Ministry delivers an extensive range of cleanliness services, not only during regular days but also through dedicated programs for national and religious occasions and public events requiring intensified efforts.
This report sheds light on the operations of the cleaning sections within the four municipalities, which collectively provide services to all citizens and residents. These departments operate based on a comprehensive work plan prepared by the contracted cleaning companies at the start of each contract. The plan is regularly updated to accommodate urban and housing developments across the four governorates and includes workforce distribution, equipment allocation, work schedules, inspection procedures, and regular performance reports.
Daily operations begin at 4 a.m. with teams dispatched to sweep roadways and streets—either manually or using mechanical sweepers.
More than 3,000 Workers and 260 Cleaning Vehicles
Over 3,000 individuals—including cleaners, drivers, inspectors, and supervisors—are engaged daily in the four governorates, supported by a fleet of 260 vehicles. This includes mechanical sweepers, small and large garbage compactor trucks, waste transport trucks, tow trucks, cranes for bulky waste and agricultural residues, scrap car and illegal signage removers, water suction vehicles, and equipment for washing streets, parking lots, and pavements.
The municipalities supervise the execution of these operations, track violations, and hold companies accountable for any deficiencies. Performance is monitored using specialized software to track the quantity and quality of work, achievement of targets, and the handling of complaints and suggestions. GPS systems enable real-time monitoring of all vehicles and equipment, measuring their productivity and working hours.
Inspection teams from the municipalities, in collaboration with company inspectors, form the backbone of cleanliness oversight. They monitor residential, commercial, coastal, open, and agricultural areas for compliance, issue necessary notices, and oversee the removal of violations such as abandoned vehicles or those displayed for sale on sidewalks.
As the Kingdom expands its green areas, parks, walkways, and coastal developments, the Ministry provides full cleaning services for these locations, including the removal of agricultural waste. It also handles sewage water suction in areas not yet connected to the sewer network and rainwater drainage from roads.
Dedicated Emergency Response Teams
A special emergency response team is designated to react promptly to weather fluctuations, particularly during sandstorms, by clearing dust from major roads and removing fallen trees or damaged structures. During the rainy season, the Ministry coordinates with the Ministry of Works through the Rain Emergency Team to deploy dozens of tankers and pumps, ensuring road safety and post-rain street cleaning.
Daily Waste Volume
The cleaning companies collect approximately 2,200 tons of waste daily, including household, commercial, agricultural, and construction debris. Household waste constitutes the largest share, with the average individual generating 1.1 kilograms per day, accounting for 72% of daily waste. Construction waste follows at 8%. All waste is transported to Askar landfill using sealed, purpose-built trucks to prevent odor and pollution.
Daily cleanliness operations encompass a wide range of essential tasks, including the removal of household waste, agricultural waste, construction debris, and abandoned vehicles. These operations also involve the mechanical and manual sweeping of main and secondary streets, the disposal of dead animals, and the removal of marine waste and shipwreck debris.
Furthermore, the operations address the clearance of encroachments and violations in coordination with inspection and regulatory departments, the demolition of condemned and abandoned buildings, and the suction of wastewater tanks from homes not connected to the sewage network. Cleanliness campaigns are also organized in collaboration with community partnership teams.
Additional services include washing waste containers, streets, and roads; draining rainwater and stagnant water; cleaning coastal frontages; maintaining cleanliness in public markets, parks, gardens, and walkways; and removing expired or unauthorized advertisements. The Ministry also oversees the distribution and replacement of waste containers, responds to cleanliness-related complaints, and oversees all aspects of public sanitation and environmental upkeep.
The Role of the Public Cleanliness Law No. 10 of 2019
Law No. 10 of 2019 filled a legislative gap by providing regulatory authority to inspectors and establishing penalties for municipal violations. The law has both environmental and municipal dimensions aimed at safeguarding public health, enhancing citizen living standards, and penalizing offenders.
"Estidama" Center
Established in 2017, the “Estidama” (Sustainability) Center is a key initiative under Bahrain’s National Waste Management Strategy, aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s commitments to environmental sustainability. Formed in partnership with Urbaser and the Gulf Cleaning Company, the Center reflects the government’s strategic vision to implement international best practices in waste management. It functions as a central operations hub, equipped with advanced monitoring and data systems to ensure the highest standards of performance by municipal authorities and contracted service providers.
The center collects and analyzes data to develop waste reduction and recycling strategies and provides reliable statistics to researchers and policymakers. It is responsible for public education and recycling awareness programs. Between 2022 and 2023, the center hosted over 50 governmental and private entities, delivering workshops and lectures on waste reduction.