A Dubai-pupil does his bit to save the planet and recycles 500kg of paper.
He went around his neighbourhood creating awareness after researching the effects of using paper
We’re living in an age of bullet trains and flying taxis. All the advancements are a tribute to the genius of mankind. Nonetheless, we cannot forget that we are living on a finite planet with finite resources and if we are not careful in their usage and consumption, then they might run out sooner than anticipated.
This is where I decided to step in and make a small contribution towards our planet.
I would like to draw attention to a commodity, which is one of the most produced and used in the world — paper. The world produces 300 million tonnes of paper in a year, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Sadly, only 30 per cent of this paper gets recycled.
The blatant loss of precious resources is heartbreaking. Especially when we know that the main source of paper are trees. The fewer the trees, the more rapid will be the planet’s journey towards becoming warmer and polluted.
Even though the facts are there for all to see, trees are being chopped down at an alarming rate. So, what do we do? It will take time for the world to go paperless, but we can make a difference.
I have just finished working on Emirates Environmental Group’s paper collection campaign. I deposited 543kg towards the campaign and in doing so, I saved eight trees, 3,500 gallons of water, 390 gallons of oil, 105 cubic yards of landfill space and 2,000 kilowatts of energy!
Yes, that’s the worth of paper as stated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and that is an impact made by a single individual collecting paper for just a month. So, just imagine how great the impact will be if all of us joined forces to protect the planet.
I went around my neighbourhood, talked to friends and family members and asked them to give all their used paper to me. I must also say that collecting paper also increases socialising!
Many a times, we planned to meet up just because someone had to hand over the collected paper. We are doing good to the planet and getting to spend time together.
Khalid Qureishi, an engineer working in Dubai, exercises caution when using paper.
He said: “If we knew that a particular resource we have at our homes is limited, we will use it with caution. The same logic applies to the planet’s resources. We must use them with caution because they are exhaustible. Paper is so widely used hence special attention must be given to its recycling. Trees, which take many years to grow, are chopped down with one great blow and shredded to make paper. The least we can do is prevent this as much as possible, to whatever extent is within our power.”
Nasir Rizvi, a regional manager based in Dubai, agrees.
He said: “I strongly believe that taking care of the planet is a collective responsibility of every person who inhabits it. I do my bit by using paper only when absolutely necessary. And what I do use, I recycle unfailingly. I have recycled every single newspaper that has come to my house.
“However, there is still a shocking misuse of paper that I see around, which is worrisome. People are not recycling as much as they need to and some are not recycling at all. That is why it is imperative that awareness campaigns are held at regular intervals to keep reminding people that we need to use the planet’s invaluable resources with care.”
Through this report, I want to urge all residents to adapt recycling as a way of life. Contributions made by individuals may seem small, but when thousands of us are aware, the impact will be huge, and our planet will thrive.
Our planet gives us everything we need to survive but it can continue doing so only till it has the reserves. Hence it is our duty to use the resources in a responsible manner. And we can do that by following the three ‘R’s — reduce, recycle and reuse. We must remember that every little effort makes a difference.
Paper is so widely used hence special attention must be given to its recycling. Trees, which take many years to grow, are chopped down with one great blow and shredded to make paper.”
Khalid Qureishi | Engineer