Dubai: The Ministry of Environment and Water has launched the Schools Without Plastic project in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
The project is the last phase of the initiative for a UAE without plastic bags that came as a cabinet decision in 2009.
The initiative is to be implemented all over the country in three phases; the first is to publicise the initiative, the second is to publicise plastic bag substitutes and the third entails lowering the use of plastic bags. The project will extend from January to May, 2013.
Dr Maryam Al Shanasi, the assistant undersecretary for technical affairs at the ministry said that the project targets all levels in government schools. She also pointed out that the project is a joint venture between the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Education as a part of extra-curriculum activities where 126 schools are taking part.
She also said that the objectives of the project were to lower the use of plastic bags and find substitutes for them, while creating awareness of the importance of the environment and maintaining it.
The project’s agenda also entails a number of activities to rid schools of plastic bags through workshops and lectures to increase awareness about the hazards of plastic bags on the environment. There will also be competitions between different schools and educational zones and the winners will be awarded in special ceremonies.
