The Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) has announced its third Waste Free Environment (WFE) campaign will take place on 22-26 February.
Aimed at educating the public about responsible waste disposal and plastic litter issues, the initiative will extend for the first time beyond the Gulf, said GPCA Secretary-General Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun.
“A sustainable future can only be realised if people come together to find solutions to persistent environmental problems today,” he said.
“Partnerships like the WFE – which involve government stakeholders, businesses, educational institutions and the wider community – will be crucial in realising this future.”
This year’s campaign – WFE2014 – engaged more than 5,500 participants, more than double the number in 2013, in nine cities across the GCC in cleaning up coastlines and desert areas.
Volunteers included students from 71 schools and universities. More than 500 tons of waste was collected over a week in three locations in Oman, while the initiative’s UAE programme recycled more than 2.5 tons.
“The Waste Free Environment programme seeks to not only clean up public spaces, but also to educate people about proper waste disposal and recycling,” said Dr Sadoun.
“Rather than demonise plastic products, which are essential aspects to modern life, we should focus our efforts in reducing our consumption, reusing what we can and recycle whenever possible.”