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Waste Segregation in our Building-An initiative |
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by Arushi Madan | 03-09-2014 03:04
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For quite some time I had been seeing that residents in our building throw all waste (kitchen waste , newspapers , magazines etc ) together as general waste in garbage chute which is located just next to my flat. I had been watching this and was thinking how to do my bit to save this menace.
I worked out a plan and tried implementing it . One fine day I got a carton box and pasted a label "Kindly throw papers in this box only ". I put this just in front of /outside the garbage chute (first on my floor only and later on other floors as well) and then visited many flats one by one explaining them how such kind of waste disposal without segregation impacts the environment adversely. I made them aware that papers come from trees so we all should save papers , reduce their wastage and reuse and recycle them as much as possible. Their co-operation in NOT throwing the papers with general waste , rather throwing them in this box I kept for their ease-would help in reducing the load going to landfill (which are the major reason for increase in greenhouse gas emissions and hence the global warming ) and hence protecting the environment. Landfills are hidden from public view but are "unexploded bombs" and are dangerous on many counts as it poisons the atmosphere by releasing toxic gases or contaminates the soil and water table beneath the land surface.
After my awareness discussions with these residents , I hoped that now at least people would not throw papers with other waste. These residents (whom I spoke to ) listened to me , appreciated and promised me their support. Daily I was going to these floors to monitor the condition of box , whether it's being maintained for throwing papers/magazines etc.
I started seeing papers nicely lying in the box and this started giving me satisfaction So , in our capacity we have put a waste segregation system in place by which we are segregating our household waste into paper and other waste . . I also told Bee'ah(Sharjah's waste management company) staff to come every Saturday and collect these papers and they have been coming & taking away these papers for recycling. Till 25th Aug , I had visited 30 flats and was encouraged to see the response and papers getting piled in the box meant for it . Our building has 11 floors , each floor has 6 flats so total 66 flats in our building.
Unfortunately one day I was really very disappointed to see many used neck ties and other waste thrown in and around the box in such a shabby manner. I could make out that must have been by the flat residents whom I did not meet as they were on vacation. That's the time I realised that my mission would be fully accomplished and successful If I meet every flat resident on each floor and I worked hard and met remaining flat owners also. Some of them were not really aware how putting papers in this box is going to make a difference. After knowing , they were glad to extend their support. My visits to remaining residents got over last week . By now I have met each & every flat resident. Now I am seeing everybody co-operating and papers are getting accumulated in these boxes on all the floors . It is really very satisfying feeling. I am happy that residents in our building are now well versed with the concept of waste segregation .
Bee'ah is also very happy in getting these piles of recycleable papers every Saturday and they called me to appreciate my small effort. I was overwhelmed to hear from them "Arushi you are a role model for others , proud of you , keep it up".
Waste management is one of the most important environmental issues facing the UAE Government. The UAE is working hard to reduce its rate of waste per capita, which is one of the highest in the world. It is estimated that around 2.5 kg of waste is produced per person per day in the UAE. Sharjah alone produces 1.8 million tonnes of waste annually . The box I put is one of my efforts to encourage residents to minimize waste and contribute to recycling of paper . Such practices will help organisations like Bee'ah to achieve their mission "Zero waste to landfill by 2015" . We need to make efforts at all levels to reduce waste. By being careful about the way we dispose off the waste, we can make a significant contribution to the environment. Bee'ah has made recycling bins available to offices , commercial places and even to few high-rise residential buildings but most of the buildings still do not have facilities for proper waste segregation as our building. By placing the bins I want people to realize that it is not tough to recycle. We need to effectively manage and segregate our waste to reduce the landfill load which will significantly reduce the risk of disease outbreaks as well. This is a very small initiative from my side but if we think , such small efforts put together can bring a big positive change in our environment. If every building has 1-2 such volunteers who take up similar initiatives , whole of UAE would be waste free and very clean and green.
To encourage more volunteers , I shared my this project with various newspapers and they promptly published my story with applause and request to residents to segregate waste. Below are the media links where this initiative /story was published:
http://7daysindubai.com/indian-teenager-spearheads-recycling-effort-dubai-apartment/ http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/a-small-effort-for-a-better-future-1.1375230 http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/c7eeb72d-3d91-4bf4-9656-4901ce64aba7.aspx
Success of this small project has firmed my belief that "Where there is a will , there is a way"
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35 Comments
Thanks Shreya :-) , Agree with you , many a times small efforts make a big impact.
Posted 22-09-2014 17:52
This is indeed a great effort and initiative Arushi :) Keep it up!
Posted 22-09-2014 16:27
This is a great effort and initiative Arushi! Indeed these small steps that we decide to take are going to have a good and great impact :)
Posted 22-09-2014 16:25
Thanks , Aasha. Yes , sincere efforts do get acknowledged and appreciated.
Posted 22-09-2014 13:50
Great initiative Arushi, Your efforts to minimize waste , by starting with your building is a big step forward.Also, you efforts being appreciated by Beeah and the newspapers also goes to show how sincere efforts are always rewarded.
Keep up the good work !
Posted 22-09-2014 02:38
Thanks Humaid , we follow each other's best practices and that's the advantage of this great forum.
Posted 19-09-2014 22:23
Great Work Arushi, You have set a nice example for everyone to follow :D
Posted 19-09-2014 21:49
Thanks Eco-Gen for always encouraging us.
Posted 18-09-2014 17:34
We do love this kind of my-own-campaign that anyone can join. Because small steps make big difference! Hope others shall get confidence in their will to DO something in their neighborhood. Thanks for sharing Arushi!
Posted 18-09-2014 17:07
Thanks , Udeh , for your generous and warm comments . They are, for sure ,motivators for me
Posted 18-09-2014 16:11
Great initiative Arushi!
You're a real gem for the environment and feel so proud of you.
You're fast becoming a superstar in UAE all thanks to the environment and I hope that your exploits helps inspire many young people in UAE to join the train of environment protectors.
I salute your creativity and urge us all to implement this initiative where possible.
As always, great job Arushi!
Posted 18-09-2014 16:01
Great initiative Arushi!
You're a real gem for the environment and feel so proud of you.
You're fast becoming a superstar in UAE all thanks to the environment and I hope that your exploits helps inspire many young people in UAE to join the train of environment protectors.
I salute your creativity and urge us all to implement this initiative where possible.
As always, great job Arushi!
Posted 18-09-2014 15:55
Thanks Ulfiana for your kind words. Yes , we all should do whatever best possible in our capacity to adopt sustainability & Green living. Every effort counts -big or small.
Posted 18-09-2014 13:29
Thank you arushi for your article :) what a great effort you've done there, you bring awarness to your neighbors and also to us. It's motive us to do action more, and more green living. i'm proud of you
Posted 18-09-2014 07:52
Thanks Tefo for your kind & encouraging words:-)
Posted 17-09-2014 13:34
Very Ingenious Arushi! Great efforts that i like!
Posted 17-09-2014 05:30
Thanks Carlos. I assure you that I would continue putting in my best efforts towards protecting Mother Earth.
Posted 17-09-2014 02:04
nice!!we have also do that we collect garbage like plastic bottlesafter the intramurals in our school and almost one sack in one night only..,keep it up to save our mother earth..,dont stop to spread and influence others to save our mother earth.! :D
Posted 17-09-2014 00:58
Thanks Christy for your encouraging comments. They drive us ahead.
Posted 16-09-2014 21:45
Wow, you did a real good job Arushi :) I am so proud of you.
You make it create change in your community!! Applause for your effort.
Posted 16-09-2014 17:26
Thanks Mary for your kind and motivating words.
Posted 14-09-2014 17:16
Wow! What a remarkable effort you've done there, Arushi! Congratulations for bringing awareness to your neighbors. I agree with you that even the simple actions can create a great impact if executed by many. This has inspired me more to continue my efforts in teaching the young minds about sustainability.
Posted 14-09-2014 12:45
Thanks Unmesh & Rohan:-) for encouraging.
Posted 11-09-2014 14:41
Well done Arushi! This initiative will go a long way in motivating others to carry out waste segregation.
Keep it up.
Posted 10-09-2014 16:05
Great job done Arushi...efforts really appreciated...well done
Posted 07-09-2014 19:46
@ Dharmendra : Thanks for your sweet and motivating comments. Motivators like you are one of the driving force for me.
Posted 06-09-2014 03:06
@ Mohit : Thanks for encouraging.
Posted 06-09-2014 03:05
@ Rahul: Glad to know about your campaign . All the best.
Posted 06-09-2014 03:04
Wow..You did a great job, Arushi. World need more and more youths like you. So proud of you :)
Posted 06-09-2014 02:20
Wow Arushi... you put in lot of efforts for all your activities...great job.
Posted 06-09-2014 02:14
Thank you Arushi for posting the article. We are as well running the campaign in our universities to make every administrators, teachers, students and stake holders aware about proper management of waste and develop the concept of reduce, reuse and recycle among all of us.
Posted 05-09-2014 18:26
Yes Burton , waste management is undoubtedly very good for green living.
Posted 04-09-2014 00:55
Thanks Simran, coming from you means a lot :-)
Posted 04-09-2014 00:54
waste management is very good to for green living
Posted 03-09-2014 23:22
Well Done Arushi, , lot of great effort
Posted 03-09-2014 21:33