Recently as a part of my usual neighbourhood campaign for recycleables , I collected about 350 aluminium cans and 120 plastic bottles from my neighbourhood and my own home. I had to go to put them in the Recycling / Reverse Vending Machine(RVM) of Bee'ah(Sharjah's environment and waste management company) where I usually put in all such recycleables.  Then I remembered the queries , curiousities of few of my friends and their friends regarding RVM . On various occasions like general get togethers or my environment community lectures , whenever I spoke about recycling facilities in UAE,  I realized that some people are still not aware of recycling infrastructure in UAE especially this amazing RVM of Bee'ah.  So I thought of conducting a small workshop for such people to demonstrate them RVM and how it works. I discussed it with them and was pleasantly surprised with their interest and excitement to see and try their hands on this RVM.

Then I informed the Senior Manager of Bee'ah who was very happy with my initiative and offered to help me in whichever way I wanted  . That itself was very motivating for me. He gave me beautiful  goody bag with promotional items of Bee'ah like nice tumbler , cute USB in the shape of garbage bin , pen with laser light and a book  by Bee'ah. He also agreed to give me Bee'ah certificate of appreciation for conducting such an event /workshop and certification of participation for my participants in this workshop.

I invited 14 children + adults  to my place where we assembled . Then I took them to Sharjah Expo Centre where Bee'ah has installed one of it's RVM.   I carried with me all those 350 aluminium cans and 120 plastic bottles so that each of these 14 people can try putting these into RVM and know for future that such a machine exists and can be used for recycling. They were all very excited on the way to Sharjah Expo. But when we reached Sharjah Expo Centre gate , Security guard was reluctant to allow us to get in as an International Automobile /Car Exhibition was going on in Sharjah Expo Centre . I took it as a challenge and patiently tried to explain him my purpose , objective and the time I am going to take for this lecture/event/workshop. Fortunately he was impressed with this initiative by teenagers and environment motive behind it  and allowed us to get in . He , infact wished us the best for this initiative and blessed us.

Then  we want to the place where Bee'ah's RVM is installed. I explained about RVM to these 14 people , demonstrated them how and where to  insert a can or plastic bottle , how RVM crushes it and ejects the voucher coupon with which we can accumulate the points. These accumulated points can later be redeemed for shopping etc. Each can gives us 13 points and each plastic bottle gets us 12 points. I had enough cans and bottles for each of them to try their hands with machine. They were all glad to know about such encouraging  & Recycling Reward initiative by Bee'ah . We can apply through Bee'ah site for Loyalty card and if we have loyalty card , it can be swiped and points can be updated direct on the card(rather than through voucher coupon).

I took this opportunity to introduce Tunza Eco generation to them (few knew about Tunza Eco gen and others came to know that day and wanted to join this forum at the soonest). I guided them on how to open account /be member of Tunza Eco Gen and how can it add value to them and what are it's benefits. I also shared with them about opportunities Tunza Eco gen offers like GYELS and my GYELS experience.

Then I asked if any of them would like to say anything related to environment. 2 of them came forward and spoke about environment and what they feel are current challenges.

I spoke about Global warming  , green house gases and other such causes behind current environmental challenges  and  urged them to adopt sustainable and green practices in their daily lifestyles .

Towards the end , I requested each of them to say one tip by which greenhouse gas emission can be reduced.

I concluded the event by distributing the promotional items given by Bee'ah and also the promotional items provided by Tunza Eco generation. They all loved Eco Gen's  pencils, pens made of recycled material.

I  was self satisfied with this event and just hoped that after this event , these people bring positive change in their lives to help protect the environment.