15,000 tonnes of waste collected in Amman during Eid holiday — GAM

AMMAN — Sanitation workers collected over 15,000 tonnes of household waste during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, according to the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), which reported a notable increase in waste production.

Emad Dmour, GAM’s districts and environment executive director, said Saturday that during the Eid Al Fitr holiday and the day that preceded it, a total of 15,500 tonnes of household waste were collected.

On Sunday, the last day of Ramadan, 4,070 tonnes of garbage was collected in Amman, according to GAM, which said the figure was a record amount of waste production during one day.

“During the holy month of Ramadan, GAM sanitation workers were collecting a daily average of 2,700 tonnes of household waste,” Dmour said.

He added that household waste production during Ramadan rose by 8 per cent on weekdays and increased by 20 per cent on weekends.

The increase in waste generation during the fasting month is linked to the change in people’s consumption patterns and lifestyle, accompanied by the return of expatriates to spend Ramadan here, he said.

Garbage trucks normally deal with a daily load of 2,500 tonnes and 2,800 tonnes on Saturdays, but the figures rose during Ramadan. During the same period last year, sanitation workers collected 2,650 tonnes daily and 3,000 tonnes on Saturdays, according to GAM.

“A total of 4,000 sanitation workers were working around-the-clock to keep the city clean during Ramadan and the Eid holiday,” Dmour underscored.

In the capital, a fleet of 190 trucks, compactors and vehicles collect and handle garbage, he said.

Following collection, garbage is then taken to a station in east Amman before being transported in large containers to the Ghabawi Landfill, where it is buried.

Situated some 25 kilometres east of Amman, the Ghabawi Landfill serves the capital and the central region.

The 3,000-square-metre landfill has the capacity to handle 2,500 tonnes of garbage per day.