Dubai Municipality said it has drawn up an integrated waste management plan through a number of initiatives to maintain cleanliness during Ramadan.

The plan includes a number of programmes and technical work plans focused on intensifying supervision and field efforts, awareness among the public, increasing number of sweeping equipment, road cleanliness, boat cleaning, creek and water channels cleaning, and emergency field teams on highways and residential areas.

Abdulmajeed Sifai, the director of waste management department at Dubai Municipality, said: "The department pays particular attention to the work plan in Ramadan because the quantity and variety of food waste increases during the month compared to the rest of the year."

"Our plan of action also includes the launch of the Smart Shopping Initiative, which aims to educate shoppers on the importance of smart shopping, to reduce household waste generation, and to use environmentally friendly waste bags," stated Sifai.

According to him, the cleanliness drive necessitates the provision of increased means of storage and more number of workers as well as supervisory and emergency teams to deal with the calls from public and to organise the operation of service vehicles round-the-clock in all areas.

"We have provided all means and equipment to the field teams, which will cover the entire emirate through four shifts. We have distributed 148 waste containers and 70 additional garbage baskets near mosques and places of Ramadan events and Iftar tents," he added.-TradeArabia News Service