Latest news with #EnvironmentalProtectionLaw
Shafaq News
23-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Beyond acceptable limits: Iraq's noise levels threaten mental health
Shafaq News/ Iraq is facing a growing public health threat from noise pollution, according to Samim Salam, head of the Al-Furat Environmental Center, who on Thursday called for urgent collective action to reduce harmful noise levels across the country. Speaking to Shafaq News, Salam identified multiple sources of noise pollution in Iraq, including transportation (cars, trucks, motorcycles), industrial activities (factories, heavy machinery), construction work (drilling and demolition), aviation (helicopters and jet engines), and even domestic appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines. Quoting guidelines from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Salam noted that acceptable noise levels range from 30–40 decibels in educational institutions, 40–60 dB in residential areas, and above 60 dB in industrial zones—with many Iraqi environments exceeding these limits, putting people at risk. He emphasized the serious health effects of long-term exposure to noise, including hearing loss, stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, all of which negatively impact mental health and performance at work or school. To combat the issue, Salam urged several measures, such as using personal protective equipment (earplugs or noise-canceling headphones), and enforcing public noise regulations. He referenced Article 16 of Iraq's Environmental Protection Law No. 27 of 2009, which mandates the identification of noise sources and calls for preventive action to safeguard public health. He also stressed the importance of urban design in reducing noise, such as developing green spaces, and raising public awareness about the dangers of noise exposure. 'Fighting noise pollution is vital for protecting public health and improving quality of life,' Salam said, adding that success requires joint efforts from individuals, communities, and authorities, including accessible reporting tools like complaint hotlines. 'This approach strengthens environmental responsibility and lays the foundation for sustainable change,' he concluded.
Gulf Insider
08-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's Waste Crisis Among World's Worst
Kuwait is facing an escalating waste crisis that activists say demands immediate, systemic change. As one of the world's highest per capita producers of organic waste, estimated at 1.4 kilos per person per day, the country is grappling with the environmental, health, and economic toll of a growing mountain of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Environmental leaders warn that without radical, sustainable solutions, Kuwait's waste problem will continue to worsen. 'We need to convert waste into electrical energy,' said Jenan Behzad, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society. She called for a comprehensive policy shift, from expanding recycling infrastructure to raising public awareness about waste reduction. According to Behzad, Kuwait's reliance on consumption-heavy lifestyles, weak recycling practices, and continued dependence on landfills have created an unsustainable trajectory. The country currently uses three primary landfill sites, Jahra, the Seventh Southern Ring Road, and Mina Abdullah, to manage household waste. However, plastic packaging from supermarkets and restaurants is fuelling a surge in plastic waste, now comprising nearly 80 per cent of floating marine debris, threatening coastal ecosystems. Food waste, she added, is particularly acute during religious and national holidays. A recent study by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society revealed that food waste can spike significantly during Ramadan, with edible items often discarded in excess. In the Gulf region overall, food waste constitutes around 50 percent of total waste, a staggering figure. To combat this, Behzad called for the use of waste-to-energy thermal conversion technology and methane harvesting from organic waste to generate power. She also suggested biofuel production from discarded food, citing successful examples in Germany and Sweden. 'Solid waste contributes to 2.4 per cent of Kuwait's total greenhouse gas emissions,' she noted, adding that recycling and energy recovery could not only reduce pollution but also diversify the country's energy sources. A key part of the solution, she argued, lies in mandatory household and commercial waste sorting. Separate bins for plastics, paper, metals, and organic waste would improve collection and recycling rates. Behzad also proposed establishing government-run sorting stations in every governorate, with the private sector playing a central role in waste collection, sorting, and investing in recycling ventures. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak. 'The Environmental Protection Law imposes fines of up to 500 Kuwaiti dinars for dumping waste in undesignated areas,' she explained. 'Yet 58 percent of those surveyed by our society said they were unaware of the law's details.' Engineer Alaa Hassan, CEO of the International Petroleum Services Company (PSCO), described the waste issue as 'a ticking time bomb.' She criticized the lack of serious planning and pointed to the accumulation of between 8 and 10 million damaged tires annually. These tires, often left in open areas, represent a major environmental hazard. 'We must hold illegal dumpers accountable,' she said, urging private sector engagement in converting waste into raw industrial materials. Environmental activist Barak Ramadan Al Hindal echoed the call for change, emphasizing the untapped financial and employment potential of the recycling sector. He called for a cultural shift in waste management, beginning in homes and schools, extending to offices and hospitals. 'Many countries around the world have transformed waste into opportunity,' Al Hindal said. 'Kuwait must follow suit if we are serious about building a sustainable future.' For now, environmentalists agree that time is running out. Without bold reforms and public buy-in, Kuwait's waste crisis threatens to outpace the systems designed to manage it, posing long-term risks to the country's environment, economy, and public health. Also read: Senior Kuwaiti Officials Monitor Raffle Draw Amid Fraud Concerns
Arab Times
15-02-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti diving team removes 5 tons of waste, tackles marine pollution
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 15: The Kuwaiti diving team from the Environmental Volunteering Group has completed the first phase of a major coastal cleaning project along the southern coast of Kuwait, collecting a staggering five tons of plastic waste, timber, and discarded fishing nets. Team leader Walid Al-Fadhel spoke to KUNA on Saturday, detailing the cleanup of key areas such as Bnaider, Al-Zour, Al-Khiran, and Al-Nuwaiseeb. In addition to the waste removal, the team also removed three stranded buoys that were posing a threat to maritime navigation. Al-Fadhel explained that the initiative was launched as a response to the impact of strong seasonal winds, which had pushed debris along the southern coastline. These winds caused high waves that carried various types of waste to the shore. Later, as the winds shifted northward, debris became anchored along the coastline, exacerbating the pollution issue. The Environmental Volunteering Group's efforts are part of an ongoing project aimed at protecting Kuwait's coastlines and marine life from the harmful effects of pollution, especially plastic waste. Al-Fadhel emphasized the environmental dangers posed by plastic waste, referencing a United Nations report that underscores the devastating effects of plastic pollution. The report estimates that plastic waste causes the deaths of one million birds and a quarter of a million marine creatures annually, including endangered species such as turtles. The cleanup project involved the use of specialized equipment, boats, and vehicles to remove waste efficiently. The team plans to continue its efforts across other regions of Kuwait, including areas like Al-Jadilyat and Al-Jahra Reserve, in close collaboration with the Environment Public Authority. Additionally, a dedicated beach cleanup campaign for students is set to take place every Tuesday, fostering youth involvement in environmental conservation. Al-Fadhel also noted the team's ongoing efforts to retrieve abandoned boats and fishing nets from coral reefs, another significant environmental challenge. Beyond their direct cleanup activities, the team has committed to raising awareness about marine conservation through a series of educational campaigns, including lectures and the distribution of informational materials to all segments of society. The Environmental Volunteering Group has worked closely with various governmental, private, and voluntary organizations, as well as relevant international entities across the Gulf region. Al-Fadhel emphasized the importance of such cooperation to exchange expertise and learn from successful projects, ultimately enhancing global marine conservation efforts. He further emphasized the critical need for adherence to the Environmental Protection Law. Not only does this help prevent environmental violations, but it also plays a crucial role in protecting Kuwait's marine ecosystem for future generations. This ongoing initiative highlights the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the natural environment and ensuring a sustainable future for marine life and coastal communities.
