International Plastic-Free Day: Here IS How We Can Achieve A Plastic-Free Life In UAE
Uzma Batool
Let’s cancel the plastic culture with these simple yet profound ways to cut plastic usage.
Every year on July the 3rd, International Plastic free day is celebrated with much pomp and show. But do you know according to statistics around 8 million pieces of plastic find their way into our oceans and the numbers will keep on aggravating to 60% by the year 2030? See going plastic-free is not exactly a piece of cake since we are so accustomed to “use and throw” culture heavily. Now here is the big question! Are we seriously committed to a plastic-free life? If the answer is yes then let’s vow to take some of the baby steps to make a more meaningful impact at an individual level with more sustainable living practices.
Say Aye to Cloth Bags:
Shop with Eco-friendly reusable cloth bags. Carrefour and very recently Lulu hypermarkets around the UAE have rolled out their cloth bags to encourage their environmentally conscious customers. So, here is the deal. On your next grocery trip, flaunt your favorite DIY cloth or jute bag and be a part of the greater good e.g. plastic-free streets, communities, and oceans.
Drop That Plastic Bottle:
Start carrying your water in a glass, steel, or better yet copper bottle. It is not just a good environmental solution, but also a very safe and economical practice. Also, stop getting those water bottles to your homes right away and invest in patented, tested, and accredited drinking water filtration solutions in homes pronto. Water filter systems are quite common in UAE.
Buy Plastic-Free Toothbrushes:
It is said that each plastic toothbrush takes around 1000 years to decompose. Invest in a wooden or a bamboo toothbrush right away. In recent times, bamboo toothbrushes have become the epitome of sustainable living. Hence, it is highly advisable to go plastic-free with your dental care, by finding more sustainable alternatives to toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss.
Skip the Plastic Straw:
Ask for no straw when ordering drinks. Also, if it is necessary, opt for biodegradable straws that are conveniently available all over UAE. They are made with copper, paper, stainless steel, plant-based, and glass drinking straws, and last but not least wheat straws that are 100% biodegradable and gluten-free as well.
Recycle All the Waste:
If you use plastic, let’s make sure that it is disposed of unerringly. Keep your plastics separate from the rest of your waste and make sure you add them to the right bin. From your home, it gets transported to a recycling waste center where it’s segregated (automatically and then manually) and finally, the waste is repurposed for better use! Many recycling plants are working in UAE like Tadweer that can process about 60% of domestic waste collected daily.
In Short let’s work towards Dubai H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai launched UAE Vision 2021 of ‘A nurturing and sustainable environment for quality living’ and maintain a sustainable environment that ensures prosperity for future generations.
