Abu Dhabi’s eco-friendly resort Jumeriah at Saadiyat Island has taken initiative to ensure we all continue to look after our planet whilst staying at home.
The hotel, which has continued to champion sustainability since opening in the capital in 2018, has enlisted its marine biologist to share some top tips on how residents in the city can remain sustainable during the current lockdown brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s part of the hotel group’s #StayHomeWithJumeirah campaign and sees Emily Armstrong, the hotel’s very own expert marine biologist, share seven simple tips on how we can all do our bit for the environment from home.
Here’s what she had to say…
1. Turn off the tap
Leaving the tap running for two minutes twice a day while brushing your teeth really adds up. By closing the tap when you brush, you could save up to 750 litres of water a month.
2. Switch to meat-less Mondays
Rearing animals and processing the meat for consumption has a huge environment cost, with ten times the amount of water needed to process one kilo of beef than a vegetable alternative. Make the switch just one day a week and go meat-free.
3. Use reef-safe products
Cosmetic products, particularly sunscreen, can contain harmful chemicals that cause a lot of damage to coral reefs. For those lucky enough to have a backyard or balcony for a spot of sunbaking, be sure to avoid products that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, instead use a mineral-based sunscreen with ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These still block harmful UV rays but are not linked to coral bleaching.
4. Don’t waste food
Over 2kg of food per person on average is thrown away every day in the UAE. Be mindful when you fill up your basket on that essential trip to the supermarket, making sure you don’t overfill with perishable items you won’t use. At home, re-use or freeze food where you can to avoid wastage.
5. Microbeads = Megaproblem
Microbeads (tiny plastic particles found in skincare and other cosmetics) and microfibers (microscopic plastic fibres from fabrics that shed in the wash) easily end up in our oceans, causing problems to marina life. Be mindful of the skin care products you buy (avoid products with polyethylene or polypropylene) and invest in a specialised washing ball that can catch all those pesky microfibers in the wash.
6. Bye bye balloons
It might seem unusual to have a party, not only in isolation, but without balloons. However, balloons are a single-use plastic and often break up into tiny pieces that end up in the ocean. Next time you celebrate, skip the balloon and consider environmentally friendly alternatives such as ribbons and bunting.
7. Use eco-friendly cleaning products
A lot of cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that aren’t environmentally friendly to create or dispose of, and which can also affect your health. Use a citrus-bases natural all-purpose cleaner of make your own by combining ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda into 2l of water – great for removal of water deposit stains on shower panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows and mirrors.
For more things to do at home in Abu Dhabi, click here.
