UAE society must co-operate in recycling and reducing the amount of rubbish it produces if the country’s environment is to be preserved, a government official said.
Despite efforts to encourage recycling, statistics revealed to The National by Tadweer, Abu Dhabi's Waste Management Centre, showed a significant rise in the amount of waste in the city over the past three years. Little more than a third of that waste is recycled each year.
Majed Al Marzouqi, head of recycling facilities at Tadweer, said society played a "critical role" in waste management, particularly when it came to dealing with foodstuffs, cans and packaging materials.
Yes, there are challenges but there is no choice, we have to reduce waste now or face the consequences
“Reducing purchasing habits and correctly disposing of plastic materials and other types of waste will all help towards meeting our strategy."
Last year, residents, companies and government departments in Abu Dhabi produced more than 11 million tonnes of rubbish, from food scraps to plastic packaging and construction debris.
On average, individuals and companies in the emirate threw away about 940,000 tonnes of waste each month – almost the weight of two empty Burj Khalifas.
Of the 11.3 million tonnes collected by Tadweer last year, just 36 per cent was sustainably treated at its 26 treatment and recycling centres across the emirate.
In 2017 and 2018, Tadweer collected 9.6 million and 9.9 million tonnes of waste – indicating an increase in waste production overall. About 30 per cent of that rubbish was recycled each year.
Rapid population increase and a rise in consumption has led to growing mountains of rubbish in the Middle East and across the globe.
Abu Dhabi has set ambitious targets to minimise waste generation in the capital – aiming by 2021 to recycle 75 per cent of all items collected. It also plans to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill to 15 per cent by 2030.
At present, about 70 to 80 per cent goes straight to dumps in the UAE. Mr Al Marzouqi said collaboration from governments and communities to reduce or eliminate the generation of "harmful and persistent" waste would support a more sustainable society.
"This turnaround will be achieved via two main approaches; increasing awareness education and increasing facility capacity," he said.
"We are constantly looking for ways to reach these goals. Yes, there are challenges but there is no choice; we have to reduce waste now or face the consequences."
Last year, non-hazardous materials, like household rubbish and green waste, accounted for the bulk of waste collected in Abu Dhabi.
Of the 11.1 million tonnes picked up, just 35 per cent was recycled, composted, incinerated or exported for use elsewhere. The rest was sent to landfill.
Hazardous materials, like animal carcasses and medical syringes, accounted for a small fraction of overall waste collected (200,000 tonnes). However, about 98 per cent of this was disposed of sustainably at specialist centres across the emirate.
“Tadweer is planning [and working] on several different projects to help achieve the national agenda,” Mr Al Marzouqi said.
"Some of the projects that will help make Abu Dhabi more sustainable include the upcoming material recovery facilities to [produce] refuse-derived fuel."
RDF is usually produced from everyday items, like paper and cardboard, which have been thrown out for waste collection.
After significant mechanical processing and drying, the leftover particles have a high calorific value and can be used for energy generation in industrial applications, such as cement kilns.
It is processes like this that could make good use of waste that otherwise might have ended up in landfill, Mr Al Marzouqi said.
Other projects Tadweer is working on include the introduction of waste to energy power plants.
In recent years, some of the more visible signs of the strategy included the more than 15 recycling stations that have popped up across the emirate.
The stations allowed residents to move beyond the simple segregation of paper, cans and bottles to include wood, cardboard, mobile phones, used batteries, plastic, wool, metal and cotton.
Located in different places across the city including Khalidiya Public Park, Mr Al Marzouqi said public plays a vital role in curbing waste and consumption habits.
"We recommend the public reduce the use of packaging that is not required and encourage recycling and reuse efforts."
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Background: Chemical Weapons
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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022