The 15th cycle of the annual national environmental campaign “Clean Up UAE,” which started in Dubai on Friday, registered over 6,000 participants.
Volunteers, equipped with bio-degradable trash bags, cotton re-usable gloves, caps and t-shirts, picked up approximately 20 tonnes of waste at Naad Al Sheba site.
Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), announced the start of the 10-day campaign that is to set sail and dock at each Emirate in the UAE.
“On the occasion of the 45th National Day we the people, both citizens and residents of the UAE are working hand in hand to show our gratitude to this nation that has given us so much. The response we have gotten from the community for this year’s campaign has been overwhelming,” said Al Mar’ashi.
Clean-Up UAE Campaign gathered participation from organizations, governments, students, families and individuals over the past 14 years to preserve the environment by maintaining cleanliness, recycling and making this an integral part of the daily culture of the UAE society.
Al Mar’ashi said in a statement that while the decision makers take the necessary decisions at the Global and Local platforms, the real change can be brought about by hands on action at the grassroots level.
She said it is through simple operations that raw materials and other such environmentally valuable material can be drawn away from landfills, in addition to conserving natural resources from the risk of exhaustion in order to create a secure and sustainable future.
“This is a community celebration. We are proud to say that we’ve seen how members of the entire family – mothers, fathers, daughters and sons – come together to serve as volunteers. It also gives us great satisfaction that our activity is highly anticipated by residents of various communities every year,” Al Mar’ashi added.
The campaign will continue over the week covering all the Emirates and several big cities.