4 Gulf Daily News Sunday, 1st February 2015 Email: [email protected] Scheme to reward recycling efforts By AHMED AL OMARI AN ingenious new machine that rewards people for recycling will be set up in private schools and universities across Bahrain. Anyone who deposits a plastic bottle or aluminium can in the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) will receive a code that can be used to collect points online, which can then be exchanged for airline tickets, electronics or toys. The recycling technology is being brought to the country by Green Vision Bahrain n At the signing ceremony are, from left, Mr El Taher, Mr Al Hamed, Mr Barak and Mr Vincent after signing an agreement with Beirut-based waste manage- ment firm Averda, which has designed and implemented the RVM in more than nine countries. It is expected to be rolled out by mid-February, according to Green Vision Bahrain senior public relations and marketing consultant Ahlam Khalifa. “The RVMs will be launched in stages. First, the machines will be placed in private schools and universities,” said Ms Khalifa. “Then in major malls around the country until the machines are familiar. “The idea is that the machines should eventually be placed in industrial areas and areas with labourers as they consume lots of canned and bottled drinks on sites.” The company will initially award gifts such as electronics, airline tickets, household items and toys for children, but will eventually offer cash to people with the highest points, said Ms Khalifa. “The machines will work sort of like an ATM machine once you get your card after registering,” she explained. “You will put your card into the machine, deposit the bottles and cans and your account will be credited with points which you can redeem on our website, where we have a variety of things to pick from. “For example let’s say you have 1,000 points – if a ticket to somewhere is available, you can redeem those points to get the ticket or choose from a list of other things. “This will motivate people to collect more and more. “To attract more people in the industrial areas we will be introducing cash redemption eventually.” Ms Khalifa said two different types of machines will be set up, including one that will display information about ways to protect the environment. “We have two types of machines; one with an LCD screen and one without, and we have specifically chosen not to put LCD ones in schools so they won’t distract children,” she added. “The ones with the LCDs will be placed in malls and will display environmental information. Motivation “We believe that the machines in schools will do well as children will be motivated by the rewards they can get for the points they earn. “The hope is that they will be motivated enough that they will bring bottles and cans from their homes as well as those they use in schools to get as many points as possible.” The signing ceremony for the agreement was attended by Green Vision Bahrain chief executive Ahmed El Taher, general manger Asim Al Hamed, Averda GCC operations head Jeroen Vincent and UAE country manager Yousef Barak. [email protected] Waterfront mall opens in Muharraq A NEW BD20 million waterfront shopping mall has opened for business in Muharraq. Seef Mall Muharraq, a joint venture from Seef Properties, The Malls Company and Hayakala, covers 72,000 square metres and is anchored by a Geant Hypermarket alongside 132 other stores. Among the other attractions on offer at the mall are a food court, restaurants, a Magic Island family entertainment centre and a 14-theatre Cineplex, featuring Bahrain’s first IMAX theatre, which is due to open in July this year. “Our new mall is our third shopping centre in Bahrain,” said Seef Properties general manager Robert Addison. “The unique location overlooking the waterfront and Arad Fort adds to the whole shopping experience. “The project is 100 per cent pre-let and we have filled the mall with brands and restaurants that we are sure will appeal to the whole family.” The new mall is expected to become “the commercial heart of Muharraq”, Mr Addison added. To find Seef Mall Muharraq, take the Arad Fort turning off Arad Highway. Olympic panel ‘unaware of games plan’ BAHRAIN’S Olympic Committee (BOC) was unaware of any plans to host a future games with Saudi Arabia, it has been reported. In an interview with Russian state news agency Sputnik, BOC general secretary Abdulrahman Askar said he had been in contact with Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee officials following news of the bid, who were similarly unaware of the move. “We do not have any information regarding this, our colleagues from the Saudi Olympic Committee have not consulted us on this matter,” he said. The GDN reported last week on Saudi Arabian General Organisation for Youth and Sports presidential representative Prince Fahd bin Jalawi Al Saud’s comments to French sporting website Francs Jeux that a future gender-segregated Olympics co-hosted with Bahrain was a possibility. He proposed that recent resolutions passed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) paved the way for a games where women’s events would be held in Bahrain with the men’s competitions held in Saudi Arabia. However, IOC officials were quick to dismiss the idea. n Al Hekma International School’s under-nine boys’ football team beat Arsenal Academy Bahrain to win ‘Bahrain Beachcombers U9 Boys’ championship at the Rugby Club, Saar. Twenty-four teams competed. Above, the winning team.