The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, EAD, along with BP, sponsor of the Sustainable Schools Initiative, SSI, have organised a clean-up campaign yesterday at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve to mark Arab Environment Day.
The clean-up, from 9.00 to 11.00 a.m., saw the participation of 161 SSI students and more than 35 governmental and private organisations in Abu Dhabi, who cleared the area of marine debris and litter caused by neighbouring residents.
The two-hour clean-up campaign resulted in the removal of 483 kg of waste which was mostly comprised of plastic and wood waste, metal, glass and paper.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of the Environmental Science, Information and Outreach Sector at EAD, addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of changing our behaviour and our attitudes to waste within Abu Dhabi's community.
"At EAD, one of our priorities is to raise public awareness about the hazards of pollution. Through this clean-up campaign, we are directing people towards a positive attitude in maintaining a clean and sound environment by practice and participation," he said.
Nick Cochrane-Dyet, Special Advisor to the BP U.A.E. General Manager, said, "The clean-up campaign is a great practice that brings responsible and enthusiastic people of different age groups, professions and nationalities from school communities, government and businesses in a range of activities that positively improve local environments, aimed at creating greater environmental awareness to help reduce the U.A.E.'s carbon footprint in a fun way." In addition to the students, participants in the campaign included representatives from EAD, BP, Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC), and Tadweer (The Centre of Waste Management – Abu Dhabi).