Nine companies are in the race for a major contract to build a recycling factory in Bahrain that will incinerate waste and convert it into power, said a report.

Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Essam Khalaf told MPs in writing that one bidder had been disqualified for the nationwide recycling contract, while the remaining eight were being studied in co-ordination with the Tenders and Auctions Board.

He said 1.5 million tonnes of waste was being dealt with daily in Bahrain, with domestic waste currently buried in a landfill.

"We currently dispose of domestic waste in Hafeera (landfill site) by burying it underground, covering it with sand and then compressing it and work is done in levels to ensure there are no airspaces," said Khalaf.

"This is one of the best health and environmental methods and it is being done under proper supervision," he noted.

"In 2010 we wanted to bring in a specialised company to build a recycling factory that will incinerate waste and convert it into power under a 28-year contract, but various aspects were disregarded and not fulfilled, and for that the Cabinet decided to terminate the contract.

"A consultant firm was then hired to assess the situation in line with advancements and it has come up with five techniques to clear 90 per cent of the various waste that we have to deal with daily and they include sorting, turning into fertiliser, reusing leftover building materials, turning into energy and reclamation."

Khalaf said the winning bidder for the recycling contract would be announced soon and would oversee the project for 25 years of full operation.

The issue has been scheduled for discussion during Tuesday's parliament session. Meanwhile, parliament is set to vote on a proposal to provide free medical care to Bahrainis studying abroad. MPs are also set to vote on a proposal to install timers at traffic lights.-TradeArabia News Service