Dubai: Ahead of the World Environment Day on June 5, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) marked the day by recognising the efforts of students and volunteers who saved 1.6 million kg of recyclable waste from being dumped into landfills.
The award ceremony witnessed the efforts of the participants towards the eight campaigns by collecting 1,605,413kg of waste in 2014. The amount of waste collected in 2014 helped mitigate a total of 5,209 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emission. This saved 8,615 m3 of landfill space while saving 20,283 trees and a total of 13,550 gallons of oil.
“It gives me a sense of satisfaction in knowing the world is echoing the essential message of reducing consumption through the World Environment Day and we are proud to see ourselves among thousands of entities that are convinced that Sustainable Production, Consumption and after — use is key to a clean, robust and supportive environment,” EEG’s Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi said.
Habiba emphasised the importance of sustainable consumption and that prosperity need not be at the cost of the earth.
Each campaign’s awards were divided into three subcategories: corporations, academic institutions, and families/individuals. Our Own High School — Al Warqaa (boys) were the winners of the paper collection campaign while the highest amount of aluminium cans was collected by United international Private School.
Fujairah Private Academy collected the highest amount of plastic. American School of Dubai collected the highest amount of glass. Al Aweer Jail won in the battery collection category. Dubai Gems Private School won under the beverage carton category, while Our Own High School, Al Warqaa (boys) collected the most mobile phones.
