Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) is introducing a dynamic challenge for Abu Dhabi schools to promote a recycling culture for single-use plastic bottles as part of its aim of a single-use plastic-free Abu Dhabi.
Titled, “Pile it Up,” Abu Dhabi EAD will set Abu Dhabi schools against one another in a 2-month competition to collect and return single-use plastic water bottles. All garbage collected will be reprocessed. The Environment Agency and Emirates Schools Organization will have to work closely together to ensure that the “Pile it Up” competition is a success.
Attending schools will receive a grand prize of $3,267 for their top performance during the competition, which is running from the 23rd of September to November 22nd. The first and second runners-up each get $2,722 and $2,178, respectively.
Seven winners will receive cash awards in total, and the winning schools must use the money to fund environmentally responsible projects at their institutions. Most bottles that are collected and, more importantly, recycled determine the victors. All schools will get certificates, and the top seven schools will be highlighted on EAD social media outlets.
Mr. Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environment Information, Science Outreach Management Division at EAD, observed that
“The younger generation today is increasingly eco-conscious and can play an influential role in encouraging their peers and families to get real on efforts to safeguard the environment, which is the core mandate of EAD. We want to harness their concern, show them that we mean business and get their support for our Mission to Zero movement against single-use products.”
The Official from Abu Dhabi EAD elaborated that, “Therefore, we have chosen the ‘Pile it Up’ challenge as a tool to encourage them to play a proactive role in nurturing a culture of recycling for single-use plastic bottles. We prepared the schools for the challenge by launching a dedicated awareness campaign guiding the students about EAD’s Single-Use Plastic Policy. To ensure that they exert serious efforts and to help develop a competitive edge to the challenge, we believe that several students will rise to the occasion and strive to recycle as many single-use plastic bottles as possible, as well as shift to multi-use products and lead a more sustainable lifestyle. The crux is in the students striving to recycle as many bottles, not just collect them. By providing an incentive of cash prizes for several winners, students will feel appreciated and recognized for their hard work.”