EEG’s recycling campaigns show 1,633,218 kg of different wastes collected in 2013

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) marked the World Environment Day by celebrating local efforts towards environmental protection. On June 4, 2014, EEG organized its 17^th Annual Awarding Ceremony to honor the winners of its waste management program, and to showcase to the world that UAE cares. The celebration drew in over 500 attendees from different backgrounds and a host of Excellencies from the government and private sector. 

The World Environment Day is an initiative of the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment. It serves as the ‘people’s day’ for contributing positively to the environment, spurring individual actions into a collective power that generates a beneficial impact on the planet. 

Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, the Chairperson and Co-founder of EEG opened the event by highlighting how the combined efforts of all sectors of society have allowed the nation to make a positive environmental impact in the country. She endorsed this trend by asserting that “The time is now to go greener by making choices that are good for people and the planet.” 

72 Recycling Awards were conferred to the topmost collectors of the following recycling campaigns: Aluminum Can, Paper, Plastic, Toner, Glass, Mobile, Beverage Cartons, and Batteries. Each campaign’s awards were divided into three sub-categories: corporations, academic institutions, and families/individuals. 

The total participation and collection from the year 2013 was as follows:

Can Collection Campaign – 25,426 kg.

Paper Collection Campaign – 1,190,231 kg.

Toner Collection Campaign – 8,917 pieces.

Plastic Collection Campaign – 80,755 kg.

Glass Collection Campaign – 328,526 kg.

Battery Collection Campaign – 2,773 kg.

Mobile Phone Recycling Campaign – 1,984 pieces.

Beverage Carton Collection Campaign – 5,507 kg. 

These numbers translate into: 

In 2013, Green House Gas Reductions equalling 5,223 MTCO2E (metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emission).

Energy Savings of 38,000 Million BTU (British Thermal Unit).

Volume of landfill saved – 8,642 m^3.

Trees saved - 20,234 trees.

Oil Saving – 9,961 gallons.

In addition, the winners of the Environmental Drawing Competition were also awarded grand prizes. The Drawing Competition targets the age group of 6 – 11 years old so as to instill a sense of environmental responsibility at a young and impressionable age. It provides students with a creative platform to deliberate on and depict environment-friendly lifestyle choices. This year the Competition focused on two themes: ‘food wastage’ and ‘green living’, attracting participation from over 200 schools. 

The event also featured an ‘Art From Waste’ Exhibition, showcasing various kinds of innovative exhibits crafted from a wide range of waste items by children of different schools in the UAE. This colourful and creative exhibition prompted the admiration of all delegates, while exuding the strong message of waste management and recycling. 

Also at the ceremony, EEG officially acknowledged event Sponsors:  BP , DNV GL, Dubai Investments, Malabar Gold; and a host of organizations supporting the awarding ceremony including Dubai International Academic City (for Knowledge Village), Air Arabia, Swiss International Airlines, Sharp (ITL), Xerox Middle East, Canon, Brother, Nikai Group of Companies, Daler Rowney (Al Hathboor General Trading), Magic Planet (Majid al Futtaim), Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Dolphinarium. 

The World Environment Day celebrations drew together many EEG members and VIP guests.