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"