Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAKFTZ) organised an effort to clear waste scattered on Hulayla Island’s beaches, as part of the eighth ‘Clean Up UAE’ national campaign.

In spite of grey and rainy weather, between 300-400 volunteers – from RAKFTZ, local government schools, and private companies – collected close to 800 garbage bags worth of litter and debris, said a statement.

Since its introduction in 2002, the ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign, which is organised by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), has been instrumental in bringing all segments of UAE communities together – from government organisations to private companies and individuals – who wish to do their part to preserve the UAE’s natural beauty.

RAKFTZ is reputed as an ‘environmentally friendly free zone’. For the past five years, the zone has supported the ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign as part of its endeavours to work with the community towards improving the local environment.

“Our annual participation in ‘Clean Up UAE’ is a great way for us to extend our environmental efforts to the community level,” said RAKFTZ chief Oussama El Omari.

“Currently the UAE’s per capita waste generation is among the highest in the world – a direct result of the fast paced development in the region.”

“We, at EEG, firmly believe that if everyone makes a commitment to dispose responsibly what cannot be reused or recycled, there would no longer be a need to organise clean-up operations of such magnitude,” added EEG chairperson, Habiba Al Marashi.-TradeArabia News Service