UAE | Environment
'Campaign is a sign of commitment'
Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, commended Gulf News's initiative to decrease usage of plastic bags and encourage use of recyclable bags such as jute totes.
- By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
- Published: 00:23 September 26, 2008
- Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, commended Gulf News's initiative.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, commended Gulf News's initiative to decrease usage of plastic bags and encourage use of recyclable bags such as jute totes.
"We highly appreciate the initiative by the UAE's leading newspaper, Gulf News, to distribute free jute bags to its dedicated readers. It is a sign of the newspaper's commitment to the environment and society," Dr Bin Fahd said.
He added the initiative also shows that civil society organisations and the media are concerned about the environmental damage inflicted by the usage of huge amount of plastic bags made from hydrocarbons, which last for ages.
The 'lasting for ages' is proving to be a major environmental and health problem. Another problem is that traditional plastics are manufactured from non-renewable resources – oil, coal and natural gas - and put huge pressure on the UAE municipalities when handling this huge amount of waste.
Dr Bin Fahd said in view of these facts, the government has drawn a strategy, including an integrated system for waste management, particularly plastics.
"The Ministry of Environment and Water has started working out an initiative to gradually decrease production and use of plastic bags, which will be launched from the beginning of next year," he said.
The minister added the media will have a vital role to make the initiative a success. "Manufacturers will also have the opportunity to gradually turn to alternatives such as biodegradable and recyclable bags. For their part, members of the public will be encouraged to use biodegradable and paper bags or pay fees."
This initiative, he said, may not succeed without creating awareness and disseminating of best practices.
"Gulf News's Go Green campaign is part of this commendable effort and we appeal to other private organisations and media to follow suit as part of their social responsibility," Dr Bin Fahd said.
He urged non-governmental organisations to contribute to these initiatives to conserve the environment and protect the health of our beloved homeland.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Gulf News campaign in the bag
Ministry backs initiative as Gulf News starts distributing free jute bags
-
A pledge to help save the planet
Gulf News pledges to help save the planet
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Dubai to open seven new parks
- Girl dies in fire started by stepbrother
- Motorists, pedestrians urged to be more careful
- A road that is best avoided
- Security services work round-the-clock
- Tougher policing brings down Dubai road fatalities
- 'I want to show anyone can celebrate'
- Dubai to introduce 900km of cycling lanes
- UAE National Day: Preparations in full swing
- Universities celebrate UAE National Day
- Brothers' triple success
- Reviving age-old craftsmanship
- Youth reconnect with history
- Fatima: UAE's women are exercising full rights
- Emirates Palace gears up for festivities
Community Reports
-
A road that is best avoided
Thoroughfare connecting capital's Hamdan Street and Electra Street poses safety and health hazards
-
Please don't use two parking spaces
Thoughtless drivers means other motorists are losing out in a city where places to leave cars are often hard to find
-
School buses must do safe drop-offs
Some bus drivers let students off at the wrong side of the road
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
