The local community, downstream industries, schools and universities in Qatar recently united on Al Wakrah Beach for the regional Waste Free Environment (WFE) clean-up campaign.
As part of the initiative, over 1,000 students participated in sustainability workshops and competitions aimed at promoting best practices related to proper waste disposal.
The annual WFE campaign, launched by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), aims to tackle some of the challenges associated with plastic litter.
Al Wakrah Beach was chosen because of its proximity to Mesaieed Industrial City, the home of most of the downstream producing industries in Qatar. A total of 18 outreach activities were conducted in association with schools, colleges and universities.
As evidence of the success of the campaign, the WFE witnessed a sharp rise in the number of volunteers, schools, universities, governmental agencies and supporting organisations that participated in the clean-up drive at the beach.
Discussing the aim of the campaign, GPCA secretary general Dr Abdulwahab al-Sadoun, said: “Our industry is the second largest manufacturing industry in this region and the products, plastics in particular, contribute significantly to our quality of life, resource preservation and innovation. These products should be responsibly disposed, either via recycling or energy recovery. This campaign provides us the opportunity to work alongside the community to show that littering our products is not acceptable and help spread knowledge about eco-efficient waste management in general.”
“Waste is not caused by plastic companies, but by people. Educating people on how to properly dispose litter will empower individuals to take initiative in sustaining the longevity of their environment.”
Qapco managing director and CEO Dr Mohamed Yousef al-Mulla reiterated that plastic litter in any environment is unacceptable.
“It is our role as responsible corporate citizens and as individuals to take waste disposal seriously, because we are all part of the change. We believe the GPCA Waste Free Environment campaign can act as a real catalyst to propel waste disposal best practices across our community.”
Abdulrahman Ali al-Abdulla, CEO of Muntajat (Qatar Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company), local liaison of the WFE, said the campaign, now in its fourth edition, aims to raise awareness and educate the young generation on the importance of the responsible disposal of waste and keeping the environment litter-free.
Since the launch of the GCC campaign in 2013, the WFE has grown in size, participation and collection. A total of 13 cities in nine countries are now engaged in the campaign.
Some of the main messages delivered were as follows: A large quantity of trash that we throw away everyday can actually be reused.
Plastics are valuable materials and they should be recycled, instead of being thrown away. Recycling plastic products can conserve resources and reduce greenhouse emissions. Waste reduction is the most effective of the 3Rs; it means to reduce or lessen the amount of waste we generate by changing our habits.
Many institutions joined the WFE campaign in line with efforts to shape a sustainable future for the local community.
The initiative was strongly supported by Al Wakrah Municipality, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the Ministry of Interior – South Police, Lekhwiya – Internal Security Force, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Friends of the Environment Centre, the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre, the Civil Aviation Authority, Primary Healthcare Corporation and Al Wakra Hospital. Kahramaa, Amwaj, ExxonMobil, Total, Tasweeq, Qatar University, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar and the Community College of Qatar have also offered their support.
Apart from Muntajat and Qapco, Mesaieed Industrial City’s other main downstream entities, such as Qatar Fertiliser Company, QChem, Qatar Fuel Additives Company, Qatar Vinyl Company, Qatar Plastic Products Company, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company and Qatofin as well as Qatalum and Qatar Steel also played a pivotal role in the clean-up drive. Twyla is the official recycling partner.