Can Collection Drive at RAK FTZ draws big support from community
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone’s (RAK FTZ) environmental awareness campaign swung into full gear with the 3rd Can Collection Drive 2010 which the free zone organised in Ras Al Khaimah in coordination with the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). Also participating in this worthwhile effort to save the environment were local schools, universities, hotels, and community organisations, as well as concerned individuals.
Now on its third year, the first round of the can collection for 2010, which began in February, gathered a total of 130 kg of cans. The collection resumed again in April with the help of thirteen schools and two hotels and culminated on 6 May, resulting in the collection of an impressive 617.05 kg of aluminium cans, making a total of 747.05 kg collected in the first half of the year.
"This is really an impressive turnout and a very commendable community effort. Aluminium cans are one of the most important materials to recycle – firstly, because they are 100 per cent recyclable and, secondly, because they take about four hundred years to degrade," shared Oussama El Omari, RAK FTZ CEO. "By consciously segregating our trash and recycling, we save our natural resources as well as energy – recycling aluminium cans take 95 per cent less energy than creating new ones."
"We would like to thank everybody who took time to collect these cans and deposit them at the designated drop zone at the RAK FTZ Business Park," El Omari added. “I would like to give special thanks and appreciation to our RAK FTZ team who took the initiative to organise, arrange and run the event successfully. Thank you again to all the staff who joined us and to everybody who contributed.”
The enterprise was made successful with the help of Hilton RAK Resort and Spa and The Cove Rotana hotels, Al Kawakeb School, Athan School for Basic Education, Um Al Dardaa School for Basic Education, Al Wade School for Basic Education for Girls, Al Baraa Bin Azeb School for Basic Education, Indian Public School, Al Hodaibah Secondary School, RAK English Speaking School, Al Roya Secondary School, and Suhaila School for Basic Education.
According to Earth911, by recycling one aluminium can, you can power a 100-watt bulb for four hours or run your TV for three hours. Imagine what we can save in terms of energy with 745.05 kg of aluminium cans!
