Prakash Chand Mehta, chartered accountant, Abu Dhabi: “Many types of wastes are generated because we buy things we don’t require or use. Apart from daily domestic waste, unused clothes and electronic items are a major concern, which can be reused and recycled. We should stop using plastic bags and carry our own cloth bags for shopping, especially groceries. Water, electricity and vehicle fuel wastage must also be controlled by changing our lifestyle.”
Guilt Tshabalala, banker, Abu Dhabi: “I try to segregate waste as my residential building has the facility but I notice that many people in my building are not aware of the purpose of different coloured bins [for waste segregation]. They mix up the waste in the bins. Educating people is the solution. Let’s begin with schools. Let children grow up knowing the importance of recycling.”
Martin Jepsen, 46, assistant school principal, Abu Dhabi: “I have been trying to segregate domestic waste since I started living in Abu Dhabi two years ago. We have been doing this in New Zealand for a long time. People in Abu Dhabi City are mostly aware of the importance of recycling but the same level of awareness is not there in suburbs like Musaffah. Education is the key. If you educate children, it is easier to raise awareness in society.”
Wajih Khalil, student, Sharjah: “I have been recycling paper and plastic for four years now using the facilities on campus. I think the authorities should have more campaigns to encourage people to adopt recycling, especially for students on campus who have a lot of old exam papers and notebooks.”
Shaima Demas, Sharjah: "Recycling has become a habit at home. Mum started separating all the plastic bottles at home and recycling, which made the whole family recycle for almost three years now. Recycling bins in my area are not labelled, which often confuses residents. I would request the authorities to place more bins in different areas with labels for each waste material.”
