The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) organised a ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign at the Umm Al-Quwain Fishing Village which resulted in the collection of 6,000 tons of waste over a period of five days.

This year’s drive, carried out in co-ordination with the Department of Economic Development in Umm Al-Quwain, was part of the UAE Government’s move declaring 2017 as the ‘Year of Giving.’  

In her opening speech, Habiba Al Marashi, EEG chairperson, said: "Over the past 15 years, the campaign has achieved and surpassed its targets and objectives. We took the campaign to the next level this year in response to the mounting community demand to expand and make the program a year-round affair."

"As a result of the changes made, we were able to reach out to wider areas with more and more communities. Additionally, we fashioned our campaign according to the core principle of the ‘Year of Giving’ to give back to UAE society as part of our social responsibility," he noted.  

The five day ‘Clean Up’ drive in Umm Al-Quwain sought to free the fisherman area from waste through the help of more than 1,000 volunteers.

Equipped with biodegradable trash bags, re-usable cotton gloves, branded caps, and customized shirts, the volunteers picked up trash at the Fishing Village. Approximately 6,000 tons of waste were collected in 5 days.

Al Marashi said the collaboration with the Department of Economic Development was a demonstration of a successful partnership between the government and a non-government organization.

"I also welcome the strong community support for our activities as many members of our society have now expressed their interest to join our scheduled events this year," she noted.

Mansour Sultan Al Kharji, the chairman of Fishing Regulation Committee in Umm Al Quwain, lauded the participation of Real Estate Resources Foundation, which provided four heavy machinery, vehicles and workers to clean up the creek.

He also thanked the EEG and the representatives from government entities and the private sector.

Key partners like Dutco Balfour Beatty lent their support by transporting the collected waste to landfills, Masafi provided water for the volunteers, and Fujariah Plastic Factory supplied the biodegradable plastic bags used for the clean-up initiative.-TradeArabia News Service