It’s been a busy, busy couple of months for Abu Dhabi. Between hosting a Formula One title-decider and putting on a string of huge concerts starring the planet’s best loved musical acts, there’s a collective feeling around town that it’s time to kick off one’s figurative shoes, fix up a big mug of hot chocolate and wind down for the year. But, as anyone who’s ever hosted a party will attest, once the dust settles you’re invariably left with a hell of a lot of rubbish to deal with. And, as a nation constantly caught in the world’s scrutinising gaze, sweeping it under the metaphorical carpet simply isn’t an option for the UAE. Thankfully, help is at hand.
Having launched in 2002, December 12 sees the return of Emirates Environmental Group’s Clean Up UAE campaign – an annual drive put in place in an effort to tidy up the country’s most polluted areas. Straightforward in nature, the campaign involves recruiting an army of eco-minded do-gooders, tooling them up with rubber gloves, black bags and pointy sticks and sending them out to cleanse our partied-out town. As Habiba Al Marashi, coordinator of the initiative explains, each and every one of us owes it to our city to get involved.
‘The main reason for the trash, without a doubt, is the huge level of waste production in the UAE, which is one of the highest in the world. Consumption of goods in this country is higher than it’s ever been, and “use and throw” seems to be the policy of the day. This situation affects us all, health-wise and resource-wise. It’s a vicious cycle that must be dealt with immediately.’
Although it’s a nationwide campaign, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with their rapidly swelling populations, are undoubtedly in need of the most attention. The public beach on the Corniche will be the main focus of volunteers’ efforts in the capital, while in Dubai the Investment Park is top priority for a spit-shine. However, those fearing a back-breaking day of physical labour can heave a mighty sigh of relief – EEG have set a target of 20,000 volunteers in their sights for this year’s clean-up (having enlisted an impressive 18,000 last year) and with many hands making light work, you’ll only need to contribute a couple of hours of your free time to make a tangible difference. ‘On-site registration starts at around 8.30am, then there’s a short opening ceremony, where EEG’s government partners and spokespeople from the sponsoring companies will say a few words about the campaign,’ we were told. ‘Then it’s the clean-up itself, which wraps up at around noon, when we weigh up all the trash.’ And with 86 tonnes of waste collected last year across the UAE, that’s a big change in return for very little personal effort.
But what becomes of those big bags of diligently collected junk? Surely they’re not just tossed into a landfill and left to rot? Certainly not. ‘All waste collected during the Clean Up UAE campaign will be recycled,’ explains Habiba. ‘It is collected by the relevant government bodies, who send it to the recycling facilities in each of the Emirates.’ And, with domestic recycling yet to become the norm in the UAE, that’s an extra reason for your inner eco-warrior to feel pleasingly smug.
So, getting involved is a no brainer. But how? Your easiest option is to head online to the EEG’s website – www.eeg-uae.org – where there are separate registration forms for individuals, schools and businesses. While those opposed to the new-fangled ways of the twenty-first century can register their interest by calling 04 344 8622. Go forth, selfless souls – your nation needs you.
Clean Up UAE takes places across all seven Emirates on December 12. Find out more by visiting www.eeg-uae.org.
