Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) commemorated the 27th Annual Emirates Recycling Awards on World Environment Day, held at Dubai Knowledge Park, with a diverse gathering including representatives from academic institutions, government bodies, private enterprises, the diplomatic corps, families, and the media. The event, patronized by H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, emphasized the theme “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration,” focusing on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
In her opening statement, EEG Co-Founder and Chairperson, Habiba Al Mar’ashi, stressed the urgency of addressing environmental challenges, stating, “This theme underscores the urgent need to restore our degraded lands, combat desertification, and enhance our resilience to drought, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
Al Mar’ashi highlighted the UAE’s commitment to sustainability, noting the designation of 2024 as the Year of Sustainability and the strategic direction to ban single-use packaging materials. She urged attendees to minimize single-use items and actively work towards improving the planet’s health.
The Emirates Recycling Awards recognized outstanding achievements in waste management and recycling, showcasing environmental benefits achieved through EEG’s campaigns, including CO2 emission reductions, energy conservation, and natural resource preservation.
During the ceremony, Al Mar’ashi announced impressive waste collection figures, including 1,624,222 kilograms of various materials collected over the past year.
Winners were announced across categories such as paper, plastic, aluminum cans, glass, mobile phones, printer toner, e-waste, and scrap metals, recognizing contributions from academic institutions, individuals/families, and companies/institutions.
The event also featured an Art from Waste exhibition sponsored by Accenture Middle East, showcasing art pieces crafted from recyclable materials by students.
Al Mar’ashi expressed gratitude to sponsors and supporters, including silver sponsors McDonald’s UAE and Acer, and various entities contributing to the event’s success.
In conclusion, she called for continued commitment to sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural resources and promoting a healthier environment.