Dubai: People who succeeded in sorting and recycling large amounts of paper as part of an Emirates Environment Group (EEG) campaign were able to plant a tree yesterday at Mushrif Park.
A total of 150 trees were planted under EEG's Million Tree Campaign, which supports the United Nation Environment Programme's Billion Tree Campaign. Through the event, EEG was also supporting 350.org, an international body that aims to inspire the world to reduce carbon dioxide levels and had thousands of events organised by volunteers worldwide.
Through EEG, participants were able to collect and divert from the landfill a total of approximately 66 tonnes of paper, 450 mobile phones and 864 kilograms of Tetrapaks within a period of two weeks. All participants planting their trees have inserted placards with their names next to them.
Apart from Mushrif Park, EEG also organised simultaneous tree planting events in five schools in Dubai and Ajman, bringing the total of trees planted to 245.
Exhibitions at the Dubai General Department for Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Al Noor School, were also held showcasing paintings of EEG's Environmental Drawing Competition winners.
"Just like the recent ‘My Tree in Dubai.com' campaign, EEG is giving people the chance to recycle their paper, mobile phones and Tetrapak into trees and see the results for themselves. "We have seen a thunderous response to this campaign. The people of UAE must pat themselves on the back for their determination in collecting such huge amounts of materials that can now safely be diverted from the landfills," said Habiba Al Marashi, EEG Chairperson.
