Abstract:

This study identifies and analyzes the hazards associated with the urban growth and their impact on the
waste management system in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Many concerns and worries have been raised about
the potential harm caused by waste to the environment and the general health, but the risks and
consequent costs of occupational hazards in waste management have received little to no attention from
the government. The method employed in this study triangulates a qualitative research pattern. The
quantitative design involves a survey using a questionnaire that investigates the concept of municipal solid
waste (MSW) management and other related matters. Key findings from the study revealed that there
aren’t any well considered plans for the solid waste management practices in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Moreover, the citizens aren’t familiar with the word 'solid waste management' which reveals the lack of
the government's attempts to create public awareness about such an issue.

Introduction:
“Urban growth is changing the condition of humanity and the face of the earth.” (Technology and the
changing face of humanity, 2010) [1]. Studies indicate that the first and foremost reason of high rates in
urban population growth is due to two factors: (1) Natural increase in population (births), and (2)
International migration to urban areas. “Urban population has been increasing and it is estimated to reach
70% of the total population in the world by 2050.” (UN DESA | United Nations Department of Economic
and Social Affairs, 2019) [2]. Generally, human activities create waste, and the way these wastes are
handled, stored, collected and disposed of, can pose high risks to the environment and to public health, if
not done properly. Regions like urban centers, where the concentration of human activities is intense, require
appropriate and safe solid waste management (SWM) systems, to allow for a healthy living condition for
the residents and future population.

When failed to contain and manage solid wastes properly, they can pose an enormous environmental
threat to large cities, even more specifically to developing countries (Kanat, 2010) [3]. As such, the need to
develop alternative methods of managing municipal solid wastes (MSW) such as composting, separation,
and recycling have been used adeptly to meet these growing concerns (Haque et al., 2000; Kanat et al.,
2006; Nunan, 2000) [4]. Despite such alternative methods, however, situations within countries vary due
to different parameters which may cause certain effects on such activities; thereby causing more
difficulties which may expand the extent to which these concerns are to be addressed. Therefore, the aim
of the current research is to examine how the urban growth affects the waste management in the Kingdom
of Bahrain, and what are the benefits that can be achieved of solid wastes.