Don't discard reusable items

Through Gulf News, I wish to voice my opinion against the unsightly amount of garbage accumulating around the UAE.

It seems that the problem of what to do with garbage continues to puzzle residents in Abu Dhabi. The other day, I came across a very disheartening sight in Al Falah Street.

Although certain furniture items, such as sofa sets, were in good condition, they were being thrown away. This indicates how much people tend to waste.

If you own an item that you no longer need, do not throw it away. By reusing items that might otherwise be disposed of as waste, we can reduce the mountains of trash collected and transported to our landfills.

Perhaps a service could be set up by the authorities, whereby these items could be repaired and sold again at lower prices.

Residents should realise their role in society and not generate unnecessary waste. I hope that my community report and the following tips would help people recognise how they can contribute to saving the environment.

Tips for reuse

• When at work or school, take lunch in a reusable bag or container.

• Choose glass tableware and ceramic plates instead of the disposable kind and reuse them whenever possible.

• Take a reusable tote bag with you on shopping trips.

• Reuse wrapping paper, bows and gift boxes.

• Instead of throwing away the things you no longer need, consider donating them to various organisations that can give them a second life.

• Give away old books and magazines to schools, libraries and hospitals.

• Hold a garage sale.

— The reader is a grade 11 pupil of Abu Dhabi Indian School.

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