The Rashid School for Boys recently launched a Recycling Collection Centre, making it part of a network of dozens of UAE schools who joined the drive to recycle cardboard, paper and aluminum cans.

Through the centre, school officials hope to help students appreciate the need to reduce waste and reuse or recycle resources.

"As part of our environmental programme, we are going to aim to reduce our paper consumption by 25 per cent in 2003. To achieve this target, both teachers and students will need to review how we use paper and how we can reduce wastage," said Glyn Kilsby, School Headmaster.

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) chairperson, Habiba Al Marashi, also attended the centre's launching.

Through it, students will be encouraged to bring paper, cardboard and aluminum cans to school to place in the centre. Within the school, there will also be paper collection points.

During the launching ceremony, Daniel Landi, Environmental Coordinator for Rashid School for Boys, said: "Awareness of the environment is of paramount importance in our schools. We are helping to educate the generation and have a great responsibility to teach them how to live in a sustainable manner."

All the recyclable materials to be collected will be turned over the EEG as part of its recycling programme.

The programmes started in other schools have received tremendous support from the students and school officials.