The Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network announced the launch of the 'Be Responsible-Rethink Waste Campaign' to call on businesses and the public for action to reduce, reuse, and recycle. This campaign has been created by the group members in partnership with Dubai Municipality.

This campaign is aimed at generating awareness amongst businesses and consumers about the importance of waste management, recycling and the need to have improved practices.

The aim is to increase business and public awareness by promoting actions that demonstrate waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the campaign, Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib, Senior Director, Commercial Services Sector of Dubai Chamber, said, "Raising awareness about the importance of recycling and reducing waste is vital if we want to protect the world and its precious resources for future generations."

"It also makes good business sense, which is why Dubai Chamber has organised the 'Be Responsible-Rethink Waste Campaign' in partnership with Dubai Municipality and members of our Sustainability Network," he added.

"This campaign will help spread the message about the importance of recycling and reducing waste in our homes and businesses and hopefully inspire people to move towards creating a sustainable future," Mr. Nasib said.

The campaign is being jointly organised by the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network, including Al Ghurair, Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Nokia, Henkel, Aramex, Eros Group, PepsiCo, HSBC Bank Middle East, CHEP Middle East, Landmark Group and Majid Al Futtaim Properties, and Dubai Municipality. 

It includes a mall campaign at Al Ghurair Centre, Deira and Oasis Centre, a movie night, a waste management mini conference for businesses and a special session on waste management for students of Al Ghurair University.

The will be a vast array of fun activities and events at Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, and the Oasis Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road every day from October 10-13 from 2pm to 10pm. Nature enthusiasts will educate the public on various re-cycling methods and also on what is being done in Dubai and how they can dispose their waste by being responsible and thereby contribute to a green environment. The campaign urges the public to bring all their plastic waste and dispose it at in the designated collection bins in both the malls during the four day mall campaign. 

The campaign is also aimed at children who will be encouraged to participate in the campaign through quiz competitions and other activities from 4pm to 10pm on all four days. Participants and winners will receive souvenirs to take home to remind them to reduce, reuse and recycle every day. 

As part of the campaign the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network members are also hosting a movie night on October 10. The movie is 'Bag It', a world renowned documentary on the impact of plastic on the environment. The movie will be screened at various cinemas. This event is supported by EDA and VOX Cinemas. 

As a continuation of the campaign the Dubai Chamber, in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, will organise a mini conference on 'Industrial and Commercial Waste Management' to address some of the knowledge gaps that exists within the area of waste management in the UAE. This mini conference will take place on October 23 from 9.30am to 3pm at Dubai Chamber's head office. 

The Sustainability Network members will also be running a special session for the students of Al Ghurair University on October 15 to talk about the importance of waste management and to share best practice examples from amongst the Network members. 

Participating companies expressed their excitement about being part of the campaign, saying that this concept is vital for the future health of Dubai and one that they were working on enhancing within their own organisations. Many said they had carried out several campaigns encouraging staff to reduce waste in the workplace. 

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched the Centre for Responsible Business in 2004 to support and promote corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and corporate governance good practices. Dubai Chamber has more than 135,000 members and is constantly reaching out to the Dubai business community to adapt corporate social responsibility as part of their operating ethics of business.

"Our aim for organising such events is not only to increase the awareness, but create a business community that practices waste management and resource efficiency resulting in a more sustainable environment. We want to invite the public to support this cause as every bit helps and it is a great way to protect our planet," added Mr. Nassib.