Volunteers clean up waste from their own small patch of the world

The 'Clean up the World' campaign hopes to attract at least 35,000 volunteers.

Young volunteers during the first day of the clean-up campaign last year in front of Jumeirah Beach Residence.

DUBAI // Residents of the emirate each produce 3.2kg of household waste a day, more than triple the international average of 1kg.

Municipal officials say the United Nations initiative "Clean up the World", which will take place from October 23 to 28, is a chance to raise awareness about this statistic.

Despite efforts, Abdulmajeed Abdulaziz Saifaie, the director of Waste Management at Dubai Municipality, said the situation "saddens" him, "which is why we continuously work on such awareness campaigns."

"We are currently working on our master plan to reduce waste. This includes separation of rubbish, which we already enforce with businesses," he said. "Next we will introduce it more widely to residents."

He said this was one of the most important methods of increasing recycling. Residents should separate food waste from items such as plastic, he said. Once organic and non-organic materials mix, the recycling process becomes more of a challenge.

Clean up the World was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme, which is based in Australia and is now in its 18th year under the slogan "Our Place, Our Planet, Our Responsibility".

Salah Amiri, the assistant director general for Environmental and Public Health Services, Dubai Municipality, said the campaign had attracted more than 40 million volunteers around the world.

In Dubai, 35,000 volunteers are expected to take part in different clean-up activities across the city.

Last year, 7,205 tonnes of waste were collected by at least 30,000 student, government and private-sector volunteers.

Hassan Makki, the head of the Clean up the World team, said the event was considered integral to the functions of the municipal Waste Management Department. "Worsening environmental problems have become a danger to the health and safety of the society," he said.

The event was not just about raising awareness, said Mounib Hatab, the head of Gulf Eternit Industries in the UAE, which is one of the sponsors of the event.

"It is part of our responsibility to look after our planet not just for our children but for our grandchildren, too," said Mr Hatab.

The campaign will be launched at 9am at Al Seef Road with activities prepared by students, followed by clean-up activities at the Creek.

* For more details on how to get involved, contact the team on 04 206 4669 or 800900 or visit www.dm.gov.ae