Pages

Sunday, July 5, 2009

4,150 tonnes waste collected in Dubai

BY PMA RASHEED
The Gulf Today, 24 Nov 2008

Over 4,150 tonnes of waste and debris have been collected from different parts of Dubai during a four-day clean-up campaign, according to Dubai Municipality officials.
Abdullah Rafia, assistant director general for environment and public health sector at DM, said that about 20,550 volunteers participated in the “Clean-up the World” drive of the Dubai Municipality during Nov.18 to 21, witnessing a 12 per cent increase in the number of participants as compared to last year.
“People from all walks of life came forward to serve the environment they live in. The participation of governmental and non-governmental organisations, community groups, green organisations, schools and private firms show a high level of environmental awareness among residents of Dubai and their commitment towards keeping their surroundings clean,” he added.
Hassan Makki, director of Waste Management Department at DM, said: “The environmental campaign was launched on Nov.18 at Heritage Village. Beaches, streets, open areas and several key sites were cleaned up by 14,950 volunteers from 309 private companies, 16 government departments, six NGOs, and other community groups.”
“About 5,600 students from 79 government schools and 31 private schools and universities participated in the drive by picking up debris from open areas. Indian and Filipino communities also participated eagerly in the drive. At least 7,000 members of an Indian community group cleaned-up Nad Al Sheba area, while about 1,300 members of a Filipino community group participated in Al Mamzar beach area clean-up programme,” he added.
A DM official said that awareness programmes for general public on recycling and reducing waste were also organised.
Environmental workshops on making usable materials from waste, collection of used materials, lectures in schools on the importance of waste reduction, broadcasting programmes on school radios and students’ visits to waste recycling factories were also part of the clean-up drive.

No comments:

Post a Comment