Letters: April 27, 2012

Consume less
This is a very good initiative (‘Sharjah to launch UAE's first reverse vending machines', Gulf News, April 22). It will spread more environmental awareness among people. I think the biggest challenge is making people think about and be aware of their impact on the environment. They should feel the burden they are putting on the environment when they use hundreds of litres of water every day, sometimes unnecessarily. Another point I want to make is don't buy things you don't really need. This way you will save two things: the product that you didn't buy and the recycling system. The recycling system in itself needs power to work. So let's first lower our consumption.
From Mr Waleed
Dubai
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Get your deposit back
This is very common in Germany where I'm from. When we buy beverages we pay a deposit for the bottle or can. The system is often placed in supermarkets where you go once a week. When you do your shopping you return these recyclable items and you get your deposit back. It should be installed all over the UAE — it is a great system.
From Ms Tatjana Ahmad
Dubai
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Get the job done
This is an amazing idea. They should implement it throughout the UAE. Giving incentives is a good way to get the work done.
From Ms Humaira Kamil
Abu Dhabi
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Don't need rewards
This is good but why can't people just be responsible enough to clean the environment without getting any rewards? Isn't the future of our children more than enough reason to care for our environment today?
From Mr Guerrero
Abu Dhabi
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A waste of rubbish
Almost every other day there are reports in newspapers about recycling, moving towards a greener lifestyle and reducing carbon footprint. Many seminars, debates and awareness campaigns are conducted in schools and for the general public. But practically nothing is being done. Ever since I came to Abu Dhabi, I have been searching for a paper recycling facility. As a person who used to recycle every bit of waste — be it organic, paper, plastic, can or even old clothes — in my home country, it is really upsetting to dump perfectly recyclable materials into the general waste. Please publish any locations or helpful phone numbers of recycling facilities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
From Ms Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi

Have some respect
First of all you have to understand that as expatriates we have to respond in the right away towards Emiratis (‘The culture chasm: On the wrong side of the law', Gulf News, April 23). Talking with your hand is an undisciplined act. When you are in another country it is your obligation to obey the law. This is a social and psychological problem. As long as you drive safe, obey the traffic regulations and be calm in your car then you will be the winner. So don't worry and be happy.
From Mr Rufus
Sri Lanka
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Pathetic habits
After so many awareness campaigns you can still see many drivers using their mobile phone without any hesitation. I once noticed a driver talking on the phone and taking down notes while changing lanes. Unless and until heavy fines are imposed I think this will continue to happen.
From Mr Nazeer
Dubai
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Careless drivers
Perhaps it is wrong to use abusive language or show funny actions while driving, but it is very frustrating when some drivers have no ethics whatsoever.

They think they own the road and that no one else matters. It's either they can't drive or they are too busy on their phone. These drivers not only cause harm to themselves but put every other person on the road in danger.
From Ms Divya Ned
Dubai
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Not thought out
To make such a decision the authorities would have to look at the curriculum of each institute and see how much time is needed to cover the material and then they can plan a calendar that respects each curriculum (‘Parents, private schools in the dark over unified academic breaks', Gulf News, April 22). Furthermore how are families (who should now be overjoyed at a common holiday schedule) meant to book flights with thousands of other people trying to do the same thing at the same time? Such a decision needs to be thought out better.
From A Reader
Dubai
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Expensive decision
If all the schools' holidays are at the same time then imagine how much air fares are going to be. It's not affordable as it is.
From Mr Anand Gidwani
Dubai
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