Celebrating in style as EEG salutes eco-champions of its recycling campaigns

Commemorating World Environment Day (WED), EEG annually recognizes the tireless efforts of eco-conscious schools, organizations and individuals who have participated in its waste collection campaigns.

In its perseverance to mobilize the masses to adopt eco-friendly habits and practice waste segregation, EEG has campaigned hard to push its six major recycling campaigns. Echoing the WED theme of "Kick the Habit! Towards a Low-Carbon Economy", EEG recognizes all those who recycle waste and made a difference in reducing their carbon footprint.

Instilling the concept of green thinking and living has been a longstanding goal of EEG in order to promote environmental protection and minimize waste, thereby reducing environmental degradation.

For example, despite the finite character of natural resources, it is alarming to know that huge numbers of virgin trees are felled everyday, releasing vast amounts of carbon, to obtain the pulp to meet mankind's demand for paper.

Through collaborative efforts, EEG has successfully diverted 3,421,202 kg of waste paper from landfills since the inception of its 'Paper Recycling Campaign' which is the equivalent of saving 58,160 full grown trees from being cut.

Glowing top scorers in all the six campaigns (aluminium cans, paper, glass, plastic, toner, batteries) in three categories (schools, companies and individuals) walked away with all kinds of prizes in the form of laptops, computers, handycams, cameras, printers, crystals and certificates.

Government and private organisations that had supplemented EEG's efforts as well as all the volunteers and coordinators involved in the campaigns were also awarded.

Overall, dozens of prizes were distributed in the course of this year's function.

These were generously sponsored by the corporate community, whose support and involvement has been unremitting - Nakheel, Al Safi Club for Friends of the Environment, Canon Middle East, Emirates Environment Technology, DNV, Tabreed, Sanyo, Jebel Ali Container Glass Factory, Swiss International, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Clifford Chance, Mil -Tek Middle East, Marks & Spencer's, Dubai International Art Centre, Fairmont Hotel, Radisson SAS, Le Meridien Dubai, Le Royal Meridien, City Centre Hotel & Residence, Dubai Dusit Thani, Oasis Beach Hotel, J.W. Marriott, Jebel Ali International Hotel and Movenpick.

Winners of EEG's Environmental Drawing Competition were also felicitated at the Ceremony and an exclusive area was designated to display the winning entries.

This year's themes were 'Litter, litter, everywhere' (age group of 6 - 8 year olds) and 'Conservation of Energy' (age group of 9 - 11 year olds).

The Dubai International Art Centre supported this event by sending judges, providing free memberships to the centre for all winners, and in procuring gifts of an artist's choice.

For the first time, the art teachers of the winners were also given certificates in recognition of their effort.

Other green highlights of the ceremony included a soothing rendition of the song 'Heal the World' by students of Al Noor Training Centre and a lively performance entitled 'Save the Earth' by students from Star International School Sharjah.

To add even more colour and depth to the Ceremony, EEG organized a Photo Exhibit and an 'Art from Waste Exhibition' showcasing photos of the recent Can Collection Drive from the nation-wide sites and the creative talent of our youth in converting waste materials into works of art, respectively.

On the occasion, EEG Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi commented, "The best recycling facilities will be useless if the community will not do its share in recycling its waste. Just as environmental degradation has no boundaries, similarly environmental benefits have a multiplier effect. However the important question is, 'Are we aware of the criticality of a healthy environment and its relevance in continuous growth and development',".

Everyone present at the Ceremony shared the spirit of celebration and achievement at another job well done, another accomplishment of the community, and another step forward.