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Abu Dhabi/ Sharjah/ Ras Al Khaimah: Maliha Mahmoud Hakeem and her seven-year-old sister Mahiba did not mind running around under the hot summer sun on Thursday because they were on a mission to better the environment.
A total of 12,000 kilograms of cans was collected on Thursday during one of the nation's biggest can collection drives that was held at nine sites across the seven emirates. More than 110 schools and universities participated.
Putting on their caps and gloves, the sisters carried bags of cans brought in for recycling and distributed juice to participants of the 11th Annual Can Collection Drive organised by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG).
They were stationed at the American International School in Abu Dhabi, which was the drop off site in the capital. The sisters, both pupils of Abu Dhabi Indian School, have been regular volunteers with EEG for the past few years.
"It feels very good that we are able to help the environment this way," said Maliha while her sister said, "We love to do all this work."
Asked about why they are so enthusiastic about the environment, they have the same answer. "Our parents encourage us."
Awareness
The national campaign was held under the patronage of the Minister of Environment and Water, in order to build awareness and a pro-active approach to protect the environment.
"Through a single drive, the environment will gain major benefits," said Habiba Al Marashi, EEG Chairperson.
"The response from the pupils was overwhelming. We started collecting the cans soon after we read a report in Gulf News," said Tasmia Shaikh, events coordinator of the environmental club at St Joseph's School.
Pupils from across the UAE arrived in a minibus and unloaded their bags of cans which they collected. The bags were weighed and loaded into a truck to be taken for recycling.
Members of the Helper's Society at Westgreen School in Sharjah from Grades 3 and 4 showed their enthusiasm while watching their can-filled plastic bags being dropped off at the Radisson SAS Hotel, which was the collection point in the emirate.
The UAE has one of the highest global rates of domestic waste generation, and the EEG's initiatives aim to popularise waste management as the nation grows in population and resource consumption increases. The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) took an active part in the drive.
Osama Al Omari, Chief Executive of the RAK FTZ said the zone's participation in the campaign was aimed at promoting public awareness and community action to protect the local environment.
Amount of cans
Cans collected from yesterday's Can Collection Drive in each emirate (in kilogrammes)
- Abu Dhabi: 695kg
- Al Ain: 100kg
- Dubai: 3,334kg
- Sharjah: 2,350kg
- Ajman: 35kg
- Umm Al Quwain: 43kg
- Fujairah: 376kg
- Ras Al Khaimah: 317kg
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