Trash Talking Jordan

Beautifully verdant northern Jordan

A shepherd with his flock in lush northern Jordan

As a recently transplanted American from the West Coast, I am particularly bothered by the refuse problem here in Jordan and feel it has a great effect on the way this beautiful country is perceived by outsiders. Granted, I hail from a place where it is nearly, if not actually, criminal NOT to recycle, and where my own daughters shamed me when they were young children for throwing away the occasional aluminum can.  To be seen littering in the beautiful Pacific Northwest is to be socially cast out as a pariah, and it holds harsh penalties.  It boils down to respect for the earth, for property and for others, which I believe begins with a healthy self-respect.

The last half-century or so has seen phenomenal population growth in Jordan, in large part due to the many refugees who have been forced from their homes in neighboring countries, as well as many other immigrants who come to work in Jordan.  In addition, there has been a rapid expansion in terms of entrepreneurship and corporate opportunity, bringing many expatriates to live in Jordan.  A country full of rich history and amazing antiquities and a warm, inviting culture, it is certainly no wonder people come for work or to visit and end up making this their home. Whatever misconceptions you may have about the Middle East, toss them aside.  Life in Jordan is diverse, dynamic and on the rise!  For that very reason, more efforts should be made to educate Jordanians on environmental issues and the need for greater social responsibility.  The crux of the matter, in my opinion, is a rapidly increasing population that necessarily induces greater materialism and, therefore, creates an abundance of added waste.

Ruins at Umm Qais, the ancient city of Gadara.

Tourists and locals enjoying a resort at The Dead Sea

Resource poor, Jordan relies on tourism as an important contributor to its economy.  With tourism making up a substantial 14% of Jordan’s GDP, it seems that greater efforts would be made on the part of government agencies, non-profits, and concerned citizens to help Jordan “clean up its act.” In order to continue attracting tourists, Jordan needs to ensure its visitors have a pleasant experience.  Imagine each tourist as an ambassador for Jordan; as a Jordanian, what would you like tourists to share about their time in your country?  Recently, my husband and I took a day trip to Umm Qais in lush, northwestern Jordan.  There, at the site of ancient ruins dating back to at least the third century B.C., were empty water bottles, glass bottles, plastic bags, empty cigarette packs, used gum and food waste, most of which were likely left there by Jordanians themselves.   Where is the pride of country and its antiquities? I’ve only lived in Jordan since August, and am not yet immune to the sight of trash at such amazing archeological sites, and I expect I never will be.  Imagine the effect on a tourist who has no particular ties to Jordan, but who will undoubtedly go home and tell everyone they know what they thought of the place, good and bad. 

With so much potential, it is a shame, I feel, that the relatively young Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan doesn’t invest more in the education, regulation, and provision of waste management.  Obviously, the Jordanian government has bigger fish to fry, especially in the current political climate, but this issue needs urgent attention. The current conditions are unacceptable.  There are no individual trash bins in Jordan; instead, there are wheeled silver metal bins placed on each street for communal use.  One must take trash to the closest and least full bin almost daily to be picked up by government operated trash collectors a few times per week.  This method is fine, if people don't overfill the bins, or worse yet, leave their trash on the ground when the bins are full!  Why not keep it in a can at home until the bins have been emptied?  

Along my walking route, with a gorgeous city view!

An example of good trash bin use in Amman

Here is litter, mostly liquor bottles, all along fencing outside an olive grove.

Two dumpster diving kitties in Amman

Black bags stuck in trees outside the Queen's school

I frequently take long walks around my neighborhood.  The skyline is incredible, the real estate unique and valuable, the landscape attractive.  But I am often distracted from my pleasant walking experiences by the sheer amount of litter and waste strewn along sidewalks, in public parks, parking lots, and on school grounds.  It is present on vacant lots and residential and business properties.   

Despite efforts made by the municipality of Amman’s many street sweepers, they just can’t seem to keep up with the proliferation of litter.  Empty black plastic bags adorn bare tree branches like so much toxic, air-filled fruit.  I must carefully watch my step to avoid stepping on glass bottles and aluminum cans (the recyclable kind!).  Food waste is piled high in banged up, dilapidated waste bins till it overflows onto the street where it is picked through and enjoyed by feral cats and stray dogs.  Families enjoy picnics under the shade of trees along the roadside, in parks, and in

beautiful olive groves.  When finished, many simply get up and walk away, leaving their rubbish behind for someone else to deal with. 

All this in a city that boasts six or more shopping malls that do not seem to be experiencing any fallout from an economy in recession.  In a place where many citizens saunter around in designer clothing and shoes, carrying designer handbags, and where the personal grooming service is a top industry, I am baffled at the incongruity. 

Across all classes and in all demographics, waste management is a problem in Jordan.  The educated and the uneducated are all culpable to some degree.  There seems to be an overall lack of awareness, it seems. 

There is no service for obligatory recycling, though I just learned that free pick up can be arranged at one’s home.  Proactive citizens who choose to recycle have the option of transporting their recyclables to a nearby recycling center on their own.  Personally, I have only seen one, in the parking lot of Cozmo, a grocery store we frequent, and that just opened in June of 2011.  Kudos to GoGreen for their pioneering efforts! It is not my intention to discount the efforts of those groups of people who are working hard to implement and promote better waste management practices through recycling, it’s just that I am frustrated at the slow progress being made in this fledgling industry.

Education and individual initiative is the first step.  If enough citizens raise their voices demanding better waste management and are willing to do their part, change will slowly begin to take place.  All those living in Jordan need to unite their efforts to bring current attitudes about waste management in line with the Kingdom’s aspiration to become a well respected, highly functional country that is a leader among Arab nations, continuing to honor their cultural heritage in a modern world.  Jordan’s aim should be to gain global attention and support for its initiatives to promote environmental awareness and greater social responsibility among its citizens. 

A pile of trash outside It's OK supermarket.  So I guess it's okay.  To litter, that is.

Litter piled high outside a Sweifieh shoe store.  Attracting customers, I'm sure.

Recycling bins are available upon request

Despite the many examples of creative recycling on the part of individuals, mainly through the reuse and repurposing of materials, and even with the organized efforts to improve the waste problem in Jordan and to encourage recycling, even more must be done.  Where to start, then?  Perhaps if every individual took personal responsibility by properly disposing of their own waste, that would be a good start.  Maybe all property owners and tenants could see that the yard, curb and street in front of their homes were kept clear of litter and swept periodically, by doing it themselves or by hiring others.  Individuals and businesses could take the plunge in committing to organized recycling.  We as adults lead by example and have the responsibility to educate the children who will lead this next generation.  Education must start now, with Jordan’s capable and enthusiastic children and youth, who deserve to live in a place where they can grow and flourish in a healthy, beautiful environment that they helped to build.

 Relevant articles regarding waste management and recycling in Jordan:

http://www.sweep-net.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/country-profiles/CountryreportJordan-En-mai2011.pdf

http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/09/08/amman-jordan-recycle/

http://beamman.com/on-the-street/people-/324-recycling-amman

Recycling Services in Jordan:

Jordan Environment Society: 06-5238205 / 06-5601830

Entity Green: 06-4724001

Green Future for Sustainable Solutions: 06-4628281 / 079-5839502

Goodnight, Amman, and Good Morning, Seattle!

~Michelle