Even though we are in the digital age, paper receipts are part and parcel of our everyday lives. For every purchase, we are issued a little white piece of paper, as proof of the transaction. Slowly and steadily, all the receipts get piled up and reach a landfill eventually.To stop/reduce this load going to landfill, UAE's RTA(Roads and Transport Authority) has kept a small box near the ticket counter at a Dubai Metro stations. Box reads "Please place your receipts here". The receipts that are printed every time we purchase a NOL(train fare) card or even reload one are collected by them and sent off for recycling.

Isn't it a wonderful initiative taken by them towards recycling paper?

This is not the only green initiative by RTA. I would like to share with you the following green and sustainable practices being followed & implemented across Dubai that are integrated in various elements of RTA strategy:

1.             A centralised computerised traffic signal control system, which minimises vehicle stops and delays at the road network level, and hence minimises fuel consumption and emissions.

2.             RTA is now running a total of 11 buses using biodiesel, which means a reduction of fuel consumption and carbon emissions accordingly. Our plan is to add an additional 40 buses by the end of 2014 and to expand the implementation of the biodiesel fleet to more than 118 buses by 2016-17.

3.             The RTA has recently started to introduce hybrid vehicles in the Dubai Taxi fleet, given that there are currently 40 taxis that are partially powered by electricity and if proved efficient, about 70 taxis will be introduced by the end of 2014 and there could be  more than 3,500 taxis in Dubai with hybrid system in the near future.

4.             The launch of the Dubai Metro with a capability to regenerate electricity from its braking system, currently carrying over 350,000 passengers on a work day. This has mainly contributed to the public transport share.

5.             Environment friendly buses that meet EURO 4 and 5 environmental standards and operate on low sulphur diesel '10ppm'have been introduced, which means a reduction of pollutants in the environment.

6.             There are electricity-powered traditional abras, which are cleaner compared to diesel.

7.             The RTA has introduced LED traffic lights, as per the plan by 2014. About 110 out of 410 major traffic intersections will be converted to LED lights. Also 1,500 streetlight poles will be changed to LED lights by 2015. This reduces electricity consumption.

8.             To promote and develop sustainable transportation in Dubai, the RTA has launched the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST), encompassing all UAE-based entities that own initiatives or practices related to sustainable transport.

This once again shows how serious Dubai and entire UAE is putting green efforts in all directions to accomplish their mission of becoming the most sustainable country by 2020.

 Source : http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/the-rta-goes-the-green-way-1.1399075