Guess how much paper, plastic, glass didn’t go into UAE landfills since 1991?

Dubai: The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) has since its inception in 1991 until the end of 2020 diverted from landfills over 22.8 million tonnes of paper, plastic and glass.

The figure was among other statistics highlighted during EEG’s virtual celebration of World Environment Day (June 5) during which it recognised residents and institutions for their sustainability efforts. The event was held under the patronage and participation of Shaikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Executive Council of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and Honorary Member of EEG.

Shaikh Salem said: “I am very delighted to be amongst the champions and true heroes who have continued to do their part in spite of the challenges that we faced and the restrictions on movements that were implied last year and continue to some extent.”

Community role

He added: “EEG’s success is everybody’s success. While EEG provides an apt platform for the community to fulfil their obligation towards the environment, it relies on the community’s active participation to be able to implement its programmes. I will therefore urge you to continue your participation and be an influence to the ones around you to take part in EEG’s initiatives and programmes. I call on and encourage you to use the #GenerationRestoration on your social media channels to rally the cause of EEG as we come ‘Together for a better Environment’.”

In her opening speech, Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson and co-founder of EEG said: “This year, we’re starting from the ground up. We can’t go back in time to when the world was a greener place, but what we can do is reduce our consumption of resources, plant native trees, clean our oceans and seas, and make peace with nature that fuels our everyday lives.”

Emirates Recycling Awards

EEG also organises the Emirates Recycling Awards. Nearly 200 schools and 690 companies participated in EEG’s waste management campaigns in 2020. The winners of the six recycling campaigns were divided into three categories: Corporate, Academic and Individual.

Winners

For Paper, the winners were Delhi Private School Sharjah (Academic), Nia Treeza Tony (Individual), and UAE Exchange Al Sajaa (Corporate).

For Plastic, the winners were Ajman School for Secondary Education (Academic), Nia Treeza Tony (Individual), and Abela & Co Jebel Ali (Corporate).

For Cans, the winners were New York University Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi (Academic), Trisha Nikhilkumar Sayani (Individual), and Emirates Flight Catering (Corporate).

For Mobiles, the winners were Our Own High School, Al Warqaa (Academic), Shivani Adduri (Individual), and Dubai Public Prosecution (Corporate)

For Glass, the winners were New York University Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi (Academic), Aashika Singh (Individual), and Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments (Corporate).

For Toners, the winners were Mishka Punjabi (Individual) and Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Corporate).

Environmental savings

EEG has from 1991 to 2020 diverted:

More than 19,250,735kg of paper

More than 342,559kg of aluminium cans

More than 64,104 pieces of mobile phones

Almost 1,169,061kg of plastic

More than 2,476,059kg of glass

More than 105,754 pieces of printer toner

EEG’s efforts have also led to the mitigation of 82,349 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the preservation of 125,057 cubic metres of landfill space and conservation of 379,892 trees from being felled.