Jeddah Municipality seizes illegal tire storage sites in the south of the governorate

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote municipal compliance and protect the environment, the Jeddah Municipality announced that its inspection teams successfully identified three illegal sites in the southern part of the city that were being used to illegally collect and store large quantities of used and damaged tires. This operation is part of the municipality's comprehensive strategy to monitor and address negative phenomena that mar the urban landscape and threaten public safety.

Details of the seizure and potential risks

The Director General of Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena at the Jeddah Municipality, Yasser bin Siraj Bakhsh, explained that field teams had identified expatriate workers exploiting these sites to store and recycle tires using rudimentary and illegal methods. He pointed out that these practices not only violate municipal regulations but also pose a serious threat to public safety and security, given the potential for accidents or severe environmental damage resulting from the haphazard handling of industrial waste.

Government agencies join forces to enhance compliance

This operation was not a solo effort, but rather the result of collaborative coordination among several government agencies, reflecting the integrated roles in enforcing regulations. The campaign involved the Southern Sub-Municipality, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Ministry of Commerce, Jeddah Company, the Field Control Department, and the Civil Defense. All necessary legal measures were taken against the violators, and the seized goods were impounded pending their destruction in accordance with safe and environmentally approved methods.

Environmental dimension and the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030

These campaigns gain particular importance when viewed within the context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program and the Green Saudi Arabia initiatives. The indiscriminate disposal of tires is one of the world's biggest environmental challenges, as their accumulation creates a breeding ground for insects and rodents, posing a threat to public health through the spread of disease. Furthermore, the municipality aims, through these enforcement efforts, to improve the urban landscape and eliminate the visual pollution caused by such haphazard sites on the outskirts of cities.

Risks of damaged tires to health and safety

From a security and environmental perspective, unregulated tire dumps pose a significant threat. Fires igniting in these dumps are difficult to control and release toxic gases and thick black smoke, polluting the air and harming the health of residents in surrounding areas. Therefore, the intervention of the Civil Defense and other relevant authorities in such campaigns is a vital proactive step to prevent environmental disasters and fires whose effects could have long-lasting consequences. The Municipality affirmed its commitment to continuing its field inspections to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the residents and visitors of Jeddah.