Clean Up UAE 2017

The main objectives of the Clean Up UAE Campaign are: • To create awareness amongst the community about local environmental issues with special emphasis on waste management, waste reduction and recycling • To educate the community on the importance of reducing the quantity of waste all over the country • To link with the global environmental movement by promoting the principle of ‘thinking globally, acting locally’ • To instil a sense of responsibility towards environmental protection & preservation amongst the community particularly with the youth • To involve various sectors of society like government, corporate, academic and domestic institutions, in an integrated national environmental initiative. • To facilitate integrated partnerships for the cause of sustainable development in UAE and the region • To cut across barriers of religion, nationality, age, gender and occupation • To initiate a sustained, annual, national event that will provide experience in hands- on environmental action • To make a blueprint for concerted environmental action that can be replicated elsewhere Since its inception in 2002, the Campaign has achieved continuous growth, with strong support from supporting agencies and volunteers. Every year, EEG strives to conduct an event with increased size, productivity and enthusiasm, be it in the number of sites, number of participants, improved infrastructure, support systems and greater media interest. in 2017, the Clean Up UAE Campaign witnessed the participation of 44,634 volunteers across 11 sites with a collection of 110,893 kilograms of waste. For a better understanding, given below is a breakdown of each of the major sites: • Dibba Al Fujairah: 1000 kilograms of waste • Seamans Colony, Umm Al Quwain: 60,000 kilograms of waste • Jebel Ali – EGA Area: 450 kilograms • Umm Ramool: 63 kilograms of waste • Taweelah and Jebel Ali: 1630 kilograms of waste • Dubai: 21,750 kilograms of waste • Al Warqaa: 5000 kilograms of waste • Al Qudra Road: 1000 kilograms of waste • Musaffah: 20,000 kilograms of waste EEG has always been an ardent believer in the power of volunteerism and this is exactly what came alive on the most active volunteer day of the year. It was overwhelming to witness the determination of the common man as they left their homes early in the morning for a selfless cause. Another huge impact of the Clean Up UAE campaign is that it is graced by volunteers from all walks of life – from high profile officials to CEOs, from laborers to municipality workers, and from families to individuals – who have the belief that they have the power to make a difference. The impact of the Campaign over the years is represented in the following data: • 2004: 12,000 participants who collected 54,000 kilograms of waste • 2009: 18,000 participants who collected 87,000 kilograms of waste • 2011: 27,136 participants who collected 97,469 kilograms of waste • 2017: 44,634 participants who collected 110,893 kilograms of waste EEG has several plans in the pipeline to increase the impact of this Campaign. We would continue to invite private sector organisations and stakeholders to come on board through sponsorship and partnerships to further increase the clean and green spaces in the UAE. Despite the large participation of 44,634 volunteers, we would like to invite like-minded partners and sponsors who will play an active role with us in bringing together a more diverse group of participants in the UAE. We have also initiated Clean Up campaigns in other Arab Countries i.e. Sultanate of Oman and Sudan. We are also confident that with the right partnership, we can further expand this campaign to other Arab countries that are looking to bring about a change in behaviour to their communities and populations while promoting active sustainability.