H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi of the Emirates Environmental Group, celebrated World Environment Day by celebrating the 28th Annual Emirates Recycling Awards. The theme for this year was “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The event was held in Dubai Knowledge Park, and brought together academic institutions, government agencies, corporate leaders and diplomats, as well as media and families.
Habiba al Mar’ashi, EEG co-founder and chairperson, stressed the importance of 2025 World Environment Day. She said “Recycling is no longer optional—it is essential. We are at a crucial time for the planet and the Emirates Recycling Award reminds us of our shared responsibility to sustain it. By committing to responsible waste disposal and environmental stewardship we actively shape a greener and healthier future for future generations.
She also lauded UAE leadership for declaring that 2025 will be the “Year of Community”, recognising how important it is to unite people by sharing a common purpose. EEG has always worked with a spirit of engagement in the community and environmental action. Let us not forget that the real transformation starts with informed, active and united citizens as we celebrate this Year of Community. “Environmental protection is a collective effort,” she said.
The Emirates Recycling Awards, a cornerstone of the initiative, celebrates outstanding contributions made to waste divertion and resource recovery. This year’s award highlighted the wide-ranging impact of EEG recycling campaigns which have tangibly decreased carbon emissions, saved energy and protected precious resources.
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Al Mar’ashi stated that EEG had collected and sent to recycling 1,524,769 kg of recyclable waste in the last year. This was achieved by its multi-category campaign across the UAE. The campaigns included:
- Aluminum Cans: 32,833 kg
- Paper: 1 173,494 kg
- Printer Toners: 9,169 pcs
- Plastic: 131 468 kg
- Glass Bottles : 149 668 kg
- Mobile Phones : 3,921 units
- E-waste : 14,028 kg
- Scrap Metals: 11 569 kg
These results are proof of the significant environmental gains made by the UAE’s population, students, companies and institutions.
Winners of each category:
- Aluminum Cans Collection
- Higher College of Technology Fujairah
- Individual/Family: Ibrahim Pasha
- Company/Institution : Emirates Flight Catering
Paper Collection:
- Academic: Gems Modern Academy
- Individual/Family: Sultan Ali Alzaabi
- Department of Finance Abu Dhabi
Toner Cartridges Collection:
- Pavan Jolly Prtheesh
- Besix Construct LLC
Plastic Collection
- Academic: Our Own High School in Dubai
- Individual/Family: Ali Darwish Mubarak Salim Alzaabi
- Company/Institution: Abela & Co
Glass Bottles Collection:
- The Arbor School
- Individual/Family: Mariah Mubarak
- Dubai World Trade Centre
Mobile Phones Collection:
- Academic: Our Own High School in Dubai
- Amal Saeed al Shamsi, Individual/Family
- Dubai Public Prosecution
E-Waste Collection:
- Academic: Delhi Private School Dubai
- Individual/Family: Muneera Darwish Alzaabi
- Company/Institution: Jaleel Holdings LLC
Scrap Metals Collection:
- Academic: Sultan Bin Zayed School Al Ain
- Fateem Ali Alzaabi
- Company/Institution: Marco Polo Hotel
Ms. Al Mar’ashi expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors and partners that contributed to the success of this awarding ceremony. The following people received special thanks:
- McDonald’s UAE, Acer and Acer are Silver Sponsors
- Dubai Knowledge Park is the event host.
In-Kind Sponsors:
- Almarai
- Brother International
- ITL Cosmos
- Nikai Group of Companies
She also thanked the hotels who generously provided hospitality vouchers for the winners.
In her closing message, Ms. Al Mar’ashi encouraged all sections of the society to prioritize sustainable practices. “Let us honor the Year of Community through our collective efforts to protect our environment. Every action matters. “Let’s continue to promote initiatives that will ensure a healthier and greener future for the generations to come,” she said.
