Recycling is a necessary part of increasing the efficiency and sustainability of business in the UAE and protecting the environment. Everybody in the country should be encouraged to recycle: from separating reusable waste in homes and factories to collecting it for sale to recycling plants.
The authorities in Sharjah should consider this as they clamp down on those collecting recyclable material from waste collection bins and dumps. While illegal activities cannot be tolerated and health and safety concerns must be taken into consideration, those collecting waste and selling it to recycling plants are providing a valuable service.
The fact that reusable waste can be found in public dumpsters shows that the formal recycling system is not working as effectively as it should. But, by developing a system that will allow those who are in need of an opportunity to profit from recycling, the authorities will be able to harness the power of the free market to protect the environment.
