February 25, 2017- In line with efforts to promote sustainability, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) recently organized its 20th annual Can Collection Day campaign. More than 150 entities from across the UAE, representing from every segment of the society joined the environmental friendly nation-wide initiative. Surpassing its annual target of recycling 27,000 kg of aluminum cans for the year 2016, it has set an ambitious target to recycle 28,000 kg of cans by the end of the year.  

The successful Can Collection Day demonstrates support for the ‘Year of Giving’ directive by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, by uniting the people of the UAE to build a sustainable nation. The campaign holds special importance at a time when nations are joining efforts to minimize various adverse environmental impacts through waste reduction and recycling to have a positive impact on climate change and pollution control.

Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group praised the efforts, commitment and cooperation of the government agencies, hotels, private organizations, academic institutions, and families towards the collection of the aluminum cans. Reiterating the continuity of the annual campaign, she emphasized that it has been slow paced and requires involvement from all sectors of the society to preserve the environment. She further said that the UAE has taken a lead in the field of sustainable development in the last few years; however, there is a pressing need to encourage various sectors to go green. 

With the end of the Can Collection Day and through the collective efforts of the participants, EEG has been able to recycle a total of 4,200 kg of aluminum. Through this collection, the organization has managed to mitigate 63 MTCO2e emissions, saved 102 m3 of landfill space and 956 BTU of energy. While continuing to launch various campaigns throughout the year, EEG urges the community to realize the benefits of recycling and work towards achieving the overall objective of zero waste in landfills. 

“These figures speak for themselves and EEG encourages every government organization, private entity, community, and individual in the country to make a positive contribution for the well-being our planet,” concluded Al Mar’ashi.

The annual campaign saw the commitment and cooperation of the various government bodies, academic institutions and corporations. Al Mar’ashi expressed her gratitude to Beverage Packaging AMEA for coming on board as Official Sponsors and Del Monte Arabia as campaign Co-Sponsors. EEG also extends its appreciation of the support to the Public Parks and Horticulture Department - Dubai Municipality, Ajman Tourism Development Department, Al Hamra Mall, the American International School - Abu Dhabi, Radisson Blu Resort - Sharjah, Abela & Co., Al Futtaim Carillion, McDonald’s UAE, Blue (a member of Al Serkal Group), Interserve International, Khansaheb Civil Engineering, Tristar Group, United Metal Industrial Co. LLC and Lucky Recycling Ltd.

Since the inception of the Can Collection Campaign in 1997, EEG has collected over 278,339 kg of aluminum cans and prevented disposal of these valuable recyclables to landfills, in turn saving 6,757 m3 of landfill space and mitigating 4,178 MTCO2 emissions. A breakthrough for the UAE, in terms of community based recycling programmes, through its long-standing campaign which is now in its 20th year milestone to promote and support the aluminum cans recycling industry and more importantly to reduce power consumption, GHG mitigations, and to divert the waste going to the landfills.