
Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates World Environment Day - Middle East Business News and Information
Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates the 28th Cycle of Emirates Recycling Awards to commemorate World Environment Day
Dubai, UAE: Under the esteemed patronage and presence of H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) proudly marked the 28th year of its Annual Emirates Recycling Awards on the occasion of World Environment Day, with a strong call to action to combat plastic pollution under this year's official theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution.' The prestigious celebration was held at Dubai Knowledge Park and brought together a dynamic gathering of academic institutions, government entities, corporate leaders, diplomatic representatives, media, families and civil societies.
In her opening address, EEG Co-Founder and Chairperson, Habiba Al Mar'ashi, emphasised the critical importance of the 2025 World Environment Day theme. She said 'Recycling is no longer optional—it is essential. As we stand at a critical juncture for our planet, the Emirates Recycling Awards reminds us that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Through our collective commitment to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship, we are actively shaping a greener, healthier future for generations to come.'
She further lauded the UAE leadership for declaring 2025 as the 'Year of Community,' recognising the significance of uniting people through shared purpose. 'The spirit of community engagement and environmental action has always been at the core of EEG's work. As we celebrate this Year of Community, let us remember that real transformation begins with active, informed and united citizens. Environmental protection must be a collective endeavor,' she added.
The Emirates Recycling Awards are a cornerstone initiative that celebrates outstanding contributions to waste diversion and resource recovery. This year's awards underscored the far-reaching impact of EEG's robust recycling campaigns, which have tangibly reduced carbon emissions, conserved energy and protected precious natural resources.
Mrs. Al Mar'ashi announced that in the past year, EEG collected and sent for recycling a total of 1,524,769 kilograms of recyclable waste and diverted them from ending in landfills, achieved through its multi-category campaigns across the UAE. These included: Aluminum Cans: 32,833 kg
Paper: 1,173,494 kg
Printer Toners: 9,169 pcs
Plastic: 131,468 kg
Glass Bottles: 149,668 kg
Mobile Phones: 3,921 pcs
E-waste: 14,028 kg
Scrap Metals: 11,569 kg
These results highlight the measurable environmental gains and serve as a testament to the remarkable collaboration among UAE population, students, businesses and institutions.
Winners in Each Category: Aluminum Cans Collection : Academic: Higher College of Technology Fujairah Individual/Family: Ibrahim Pasha Company/Institution: Emirates Flight Catering
: Paper Collection : Academic: Gems Modern Academy Individual/Family: Sultan Ali Alzaabi Company/Institution: Department of Finance Abu Dhabi
: Toner Cartridges Collection : Individual/Family: Pavan Jolly Pratheesh Company/Institution: Besix Construct LLC
: Plastic Collection : Academic: Our Own High School, Dubai Individual/Family: Ali Darwish Mubarak Salim Alzaabi Company/Institution: Abela & Co
: Glass Bottles Collection : Academic: The Arbor School Individual/Family: Mariah Mubarak Company/Institution: Dubai World Trade Centre
: Mobile Phones Collection : Academic: Our Own High School, Dubai Individual/Family: Amal Saeed Al Shamsi Company/Institution: Dubai Public Prosecution
: E-Waste Collection : Academic: Delhi Private School Dubai Individual/Family: Muneera Darwish Alzaabi Company/Institution: Jaleel Holdings LLC
: Scrap Metals Collection : Academic: Sultan Bin Zayed School Al Ain Individual/Family: Fateem Ali Alzaabi Company/Institution: Marco Polo Hotel
:
Mrs. Al Mar'ashi extended heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors and partners who contributed effectively to the success of the awarding ceremony. Special thanks were given to: Silver Sponsors : McDonald's UAE and Acer
: McDonald's UAE and Acer Event Host : Dubai Knowledge Park
: Dubai Knowledge Park In-Kind Sponsors : Almarai Ariston Brother International ITL Cosmos Nikai Group of Companies
:
Additionally, she acknowledged the participating hotels that generously offered hospitality vouchers to the award winners.
In her concluding message, Mrs. Al Mar'ashi called upon all segments of society to make sustainable practices a daily priority. 'Let us honour the Year of Community by working hand-in-hand to safeguard our environment. Every action counts. Let's continue to support initiatives that ensure a greener and healthier future for generations to come,' she urged.
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a professional working group established in 1991 in the United Arab Emirates. It is devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. EEG is actively encouraged and supported by concerned local and federal government agencies. It is the first environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). EEG is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Global Urban Development (GUD) and the Global Investors for Sustainable Alliance (GISD). It is also a member of the One Planet Network under the programme of Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and its Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) and Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), EEG is a full Member (voting) of World Packaging Organisation (WPO).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates World Environment Day - Middle East Business News and Information
Emirates Environmental Group Celebrates the 28th Cycle of Emirates Recycling Awards to commemorate World Environment Day Dubai, UAE: Under the esteemed patronage and presence of H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) proudly marked the 28th year of its Annual Emirates Recycling Awards on the occasion of World Environment Day, with a strong call to action to combat plastic pollution under this year's official theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution.' The prestigious celebration was held at Dubai Knowledge Park and brought together a dynamic gathering of academic institutions, government entities, corporate leaders, diplomatic representatives, media, families and civil societies. In her opening address, EEG Co-Founder and Chairperson, Habiba Al Mar'ashi, emphasised the critical importance of the 2025 World Environment Day theme. She said 'Recycling is no longer optional—it is essential. As we stand at a critical juncture for our planet, the Emirates Recycling Awards reminds us that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Through our collective commitment to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship, we are actively shaping a greener, healthier future for generations to come.' She further lauded the UAE leadership for declaring 2025 as the 'Year of Community,' recognising the significance of uniting people through shared purpose. 'The spirit of community engagement and environmental action has always been at the core of EEG's work. As we celebrate this Year of Community, let us remember that real transformation begins with active, informed and united citizens. Environmental protection must be a collective endeavor,' she added. The Emirates Recycling Awards are a cornerstone initiative that celebrates outstanding contributions to waste diversion and resource recovery. This year's awards underscored the far-reaching impact of EEG's robust recycling campaigns, which have tangibly reduced carbon emissions, conserved energy and protected precious natural resources. Mrs. Al Mar'ashi announced that in the past year, EEG collected and sent for recycling a total of 1,524,769 kilograms of recyclable waste and diverted them from ending in landfills, achieved through its multi-category campaigns across the UAE. These included: Aluminum Cans: 32,833 kg Paper: 1,173,494 kg Printer Toners: 9,169 pcs Plastic: 131,468 kg Glass Bottles: 149,668 kg Mobile Phones: 3,921 pcs E-waste: 14,028 kg Scrap Metals: 11,569 kg These results highlight the measurable environmental gains and serve as a testament to the remarkable collaboration among UAE population, students, businesses and institutions. Winners in Each Category: Aluminum Cans Collection : Academic: Higher College of Technology Fujairah Individual/Family: Ibrahim Pasha Company/Institution: Emirates Flight Catering : Paper Collection : Academic: Gems Modern Academy Individual/Family: Sultan Ali Alzaabi Company/Institution: Department of Finance Abu Dhabi : Toner Cartridges Collection : Individual/Family: Pavan Jolly Pratheesh Company/Institution: Besix Construct LLC : Plastic Collection : Academic: Our Own High School, Dubai Individual/Family: Ali Darwish Mubarak Salim Alzaabi Company/Institution: Abela & Co : Glass Bottles Collection : Academic: The Arbor School Individual/Family: Mariah Mubarak Company/Institution: Dubai World Trade Centre : Mobile Phones Collection : Academic: Our Own High School, Dubai Individual/Family: Amal Saeed Al Shamsi Company/Institution: Dubai Public Prosecution : E-Waste Collection : Academic: Delhi Private School Dubai Individual/Family: Muneera Darwish Alzaabi Company/Institution: Jaleel Holdings LLC : Scrap Metals Collection : Academic: Sultan Bin Zayed School Al Ain Individual/Family: Fateem Ali Alzaabi Company/Institution: Marco Polo Hotel : Mrs. Al Mar'ashi extended heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors and partners who contributed effectively to the success of the awarding ceremony. Special thanks were given to: Silver Sponsors : McDonald's UAE and Acer : McDonald's UAE and Acer Event Host : Dubai Knowledge Park : Dubai Knowledge Park In-Kind Sponsors : Almarai Ariston Brother International ITL Cosmos Nikai Group of Companies : Additionally, she acknowledged the participating hotels that generously offered hospitality vouchers to the award winners. In her concluding message, Mrs. Al Mar'ashi called upon all segments of society to make sustainable practices a daily priority. 'Let us honour the Year of Community by working hand-in-hand to safeguard our environment. Every action counts. Let's continue to support initiatives that ensure a greener and healthier future for generations to come,' she urged. Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a professional working group established in 1991 in the United Arab Emirates. It is devoted to protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. EEG is actively encouraged and supported by concerned local and federal government agencies. It is the first environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). EEG is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Global Urban Development (GUD) and the Global Investors for Sustainable Alliance (GISD). It is also a member of the One Planet Network under the programme of Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and its Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) and Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), EEG is a full Member (voting) of World Packaging Organisation (WPO).


Egypt Today
4 days ago
- Egypt Today
Update: Egypt Launches ‘Reduce It' Campaign to Reduce Single-Use Plastic bags
CAIRO – 1 June 2025: In a move to raise public awareness about the environmental hazards of single-use plastic bags, Egypt's Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, launched the 'Reduce It' campaign in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The campaign aims to curb the production and consumption of single-use plastic bags, with a particular focus on plastic manufacturing facilities across Egypt. This initiative aligns with World Environment Day, observed globally on June 5. During the launch event, Minister Fouad outlined Egypt's recent efforts to combat plastic pollution, beginning with the National Strategy to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Bags, which includes setting specifications for alternative products while supporting a fair and inclusive green transition, particularly given the large number of producers and users involved in this industry. She emphasized that the 'Reduce It' campaign seeks to gradually phase down the use of plastic, recognizing it as a valuable raw material that must be used more responsibly. 'The Ministry of Environment has taken firm steps in collaboration with the industrial sector to reduce plastic waste, especially as the world moves toward concluding a legally binding international agreement to combat plastic pollution,' she said. Dr. Fouad also highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of reducing plastic bag production, including lowering Egypt's import bill for raw materials and enabling manufacturers to produce compliant, eco-friendly alternatives. For consumers, the shift will allow for more durable, reusable bags that reduce both costs and waste. Japanese Ambassador to Egypt IWAI Fumio expressed his appreciation to all partners involved in the campaign, including the Ministry of Environment and UNIDO. He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Egypt's environmental goals, referencing a 2019 agreement between Japanese leadership and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to promote a green and sustainable economy in Egypt. He added in his speech that Japan managed to reduce the plastics from 200,000 tons to 100,000 tons year by year. He added that this campaign will be a sustainable model for Africa. Ambassador Fumio noted that the campaign focuses on capacity-building, technical support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and raising public awareness. He expressed Japan's hope that Egypt will emerge as a center of environmental excellence in Africa, positioning the 'Reduce It' campaign as a model for sustainable development across the continent. Patrick Jean Gilabert, UNIDO's Regional Representative in Egypt, also participated in the launch and congratulated Dr. Fouad on her recent appointment as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). He confirmed that UNIDO is currently implementing 23 projects in Egypt to support environmental sustainability, with investments totaling $3.5 billion, and noted that more initiatives are in the pipeline. Underscoring the urgency of the campaign, a report issued in April 2024 by the Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) revealed that Egypt consumed nearly 5 million tons of single-use plastic products during the 2022/2023 fiscal year. Globally, only 10 percent of the estimated 7 billion tons of plastic waste is recycled, according to the same report. The rest ends up polluting ecosystems, incinerated, or buried unsustainably, often after being transported long distances. This waste crisis contributes to an estimated $300–$600 billion in annual global economic losses and poses a significant threat to both human health and biodiversity.


Daily News Egypt
25-05-2025
- Daily News Egypt
Environment Minister urges stronger private sector role in green investment
Egypt's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad has called on the country's business community to take a more proactive role in advancing environmental and climate goals, stressing the importance of aligning private investment with national sustainability priorities. Speaking at a high-level meeting with the Egyptian Businessmen's Association (EBA) in the New Administrative Capital on Sunday, Fouad underscored the ministry's evolution into a development partner. 'This ministry is no longer a roadblock to investment,' she said. 'Since 2019, we've repositioned ourselves as a strategic enabler of green growth and economic progress.' The meeting brought together senior officials and leaders from key economic sectors to explore green investment opportunities and discuss how businesses can contribute to Egypt's environmental transition. Fouad outlined a series of reforms designed to attract private investment in sectors such as waste management, eco-tourism, and industrial pollution control. She pointed to Egypt's successful model of converting rice straw into commercial products as an example of transforming environmental challenges into economic value. To further accelerate green investment, Fouad announced the establishment of a new Environmental and Climate Investment Unit within the ministry. The unit will focus on identifying bankable green projects, preparing feasibility studies, and expediting the permitting process. She noted that environmental permits are now issued within seven working days, thanks to improved coordination with the Industrial Development Authority. Other initiatives include the digitalization of the permitting process, targeted grants for pollution abatement, and sector-specific compliance guides to support businesses in reducing emissions and meeting sustainability targets. EBA board members welcomed the ministry's new direction and praised the improved regulatory environment. They emphasized the importance of green standards for enhancing Egypt's export competitiveness and expressed strong support for expanding carbon credit trading to incentivize private-sector emission reductions. The Association also offered its extensive nationwide network and 18 sector-specific committees to support joint awareness campaigns, training programs, and policy development in partnership with the ministry. Fouad concluded the meeting by proposing the launch of a **National Environmental Dialogue for Business** during Egypt's World Environment Day celebrations on June 5. The initiative would bring together policymakers and the private sector to address climate-related issues, including the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), green financing tools, and public-private partnership models. 'We welcome all ideas that protect the environment while driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth,' she said.