The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) shares its recycling success story. From its inception in 1991 until the end of 2020, it has diverted from landfills over 22.8 million tonnes of paper, plastic, and glass, Gulf News states.
The figure was, among other statistics, highlighted during EEG’s virtual celebration of World Environment Day (June 5), during which it recognized 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 despite 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 fulfill their obligation towards the environment, it relies on the community’s active participation to be able to implement its programs. Therefore, I will urge you to continue your participation and influence those around you to participate despite in EEG’s initiatives and programs. 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 organizes 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 aluminum 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 preserving 125,057 cubic meters of landfill space and conserving 379,892 trees from being felled.
