The Professional Diploma in Waste Management programme at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) organised field visits to several recycling sites in Bahrain, with the aim of enhancing the practical application of theoretical concepts learned by the students. The visits included recycling factories for plastics, metals, medical and hazardous waste, electronic devices, in addition to the Askar landfill for municipal waste.

During the visits, students of the fourth batch of the programme learned about the stages of waste treatment and its conversion into raw materials that can be used in sustainable ways. They also learned about the technologies used in the Askar landfill to prevent pollutants from leaking into soil and water, including insulating layers and gas drainage systems.

The programme coordinator, Dr Sumaya Yusuf, confirmed that these visits enrich students’ knowledge and introduces them to the importance of sustainable waste management. She pointed out that waste management is one of the most prominent environmental challenges in urban cities, which requires a shift to sustainable methodologies that focus on source reduction, reuse, and recycling. Landfilling is the last and least sustainable option within the waste management pyramid, she added.

Dr Sumaya detailed the visits' focus on the circular economy, emphasising its approach of treating waste as a valuable resource to be recovered and repurposed. This, she explained, contributes to environmental protection and fosters both economic and social sustainability.

It’s worth noting that the Professional Diploma in Waste Management Programme is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf, accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM). The programme is offered through a flexible educational system that combines online and in-person attendance, and attracts participants from various GCC countries and multiple sectors including municipalities, industry, trade, and health.

To date, the programme has graduated 56 specialists who have contributed to promoting sustainable practices in the Gulf. The programme is supported by the UN Environment Programme, West Asia Office, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable waste management to achieve sustainable development goals in the region.