Kuwait Addresses Street Potholes With Innovative Tire Recycling Proposal

The Environmental Affairs Committee of the Municipal Council, led by Engineer Alia Al Farsi, convened with 11 relevant parties to address the pressing issue of hazardous potholes in Kuwait’s streets. The committee proposed utilizing waste tires as a quick and feasible solution to fill these dangerous potholes, aiming to enhance public safety and explore methods to reduce tire fires.

During the first workshop organized by the committee, titled “Tire Dumps and Their Impact on Public Health and Environmental Safety,” discussions centered on the random disposal of used tires in the Salmi area and the recurrent fires that result in harmful fumes. Al-Farsi emphasized the global and local challenges in preserving the environment and reducing pollution through recycling and waste treatment.

Al-Farsi highlighted the International Basel Convention’s comprehensive strategies for dealing with hazardous waste, detailing the benefits and drawbacks of environmentally sound disposal methods. She expressed concern that Kuwait continues to dispose of used tires by randomly dumping them in landfills or deserts, which poses significant fire risks and environmental hazards.

The workshop stressed the need for cooperation among all concerned parties to develop sustainable environmental solutions for the Salmi tire issue. Al-Farsi advocated for investments in waste management and treatment, aligning with Kuwait’s strategic objectives to improve quality of life and preserve resources.

Municipal Council member Engineer Farah Al-Roumi echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the environmental and public health threats posed by accumulating car tires. She called for innovative, eco-friendly strategies to recycle the large quantity of tires, suggesting the establishment of specialized factories to safely dispose of and repurpose these tires, creating new job opportunities in the process.

The 11 participating parties included the Environment Public Authority, Public Authority for Industry, World Health Organization, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Interior, General Fire Force, Fatwa and Legislation Department, Kuwait Society for Environmental Protection, Kuwait Green Building Council, and a tire recycling plant.

Key sustainable solutions discussed at the workshop included achieving zero waste and using fine tire waste in the asphalt industry. Al-Farsi pointed out that recycled materials from spent car tires are already being used in various useful industries, such as fuel for factory furnaces, flooring for sports clubs and stadiums, and bicycle lanes.

Al-Farsi also noted a successful pilot project in the Al-Raqi area where recycled tire materials were used to enhance street conditions, demonstrating the potential benefits of such sustainable practices.

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