Najaf municipality takes action to prevent waste burning at landfill

NAJAF — The Najaf Municipality has implemented new measures to prevent waste burning at the local landfill, including the installation of solar-powered cameras and the construction of fences around the site. Spotlights have also been placed to monitor nighttime activity.

In many Iraqi cities, the lack of modern waste management systems has led to the accumulation and burial of garbage. In some cases, scavengers set fire to waste piles in search of valuable materials, resulting in harmful smoke that poses health risks and degrades the local environment.

“We adopted urgent steps, such as fencing the site and installing solar-powered cameras, alongside spotlights to help police patrols,” said Karar Mawash, Najaf Municipality Director. He added that the number of workers monitoring the landfill has increased to 24, with staff working in shifts around the clock. Efforts are also being focused on faster waste removal to reduce the risk of fires.

Residents of northern Najaf neighborhoods had previously complained about nighttime waste burning at the landfill, often conducted to recover metal materials.

A similar incident occurred in Hilla, Babil, when thick clouds of smoke covered the sky earlier this month after waste pickers set fire to a dump near Barnun, close to historic ruins. The blaze forced many residents, including families with children and the elderly, to evacuate the area for safety.