DH1M FINES FOR COMPANY FAILURES IN WASTE DISPOSAL

▶ Draft law targets 6.5m tonnes UAE produces each year

More than three quarters of the UAE’s waste is unrecyclable but could be used to generate energy, a Federal National Council member told the Minister of Climate Change and Environment yesterday.

Dubai member Marwan bin Ghalita questioned Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi after the FNC passed a draft law that fines companies up to Dh1 million for incorrect disposal of waste. The law also gives the ministry the power to ban products deemed unrecyclable or harmful to the environment – after co-ordinating with a special authority.

“Will the country really ban the production of plastic?” said Saeed Al Remeithi, an Abu Dhabi member. “Importing it is much costlier, so I would like to clarify how that article would be implemented.”

Mr bin Ghalita asked for clarity on the details of the law.

“Does co-ordinating mean absolute agreement? What if the ministry wants to implement the ban, and the concerned authority refuses?” he said.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said a decision would be made through the Cabinet.

The law gives the ministry the right to demand companies recycle certain types of waste – should reuse be considered less harmful than disposal – and encourages the building of more recycling factories.

Mr bin Ghalita asked the minister why 77 per cent of the country’s waste was not recycled, particularly nuclear and radiant waste, which could be used to regenerate energy. The minister said Dubai Municipality already recycles 5,000 tonnes of waste per day to regenerate energy.

The UAE produces 6.5 million tonnes of non-hazardous waste per year, with individuals producing an average of 1.2 to 1.3 kilograms daily.

The law will also take people to task who burn, dispose of or bury waste in public areas or in water channels, fining them up to Dh30,000.

Before the details of the law were discussed, FNC member Salem Al Shehhi showed the minister pictures of stone factories that produce toxic gases and pollute the air.

“Public health is deteriorating because of this, and the ministry is doing its share of campaigns, but unfortunately the co-operation from the manufacturers’ side is very weak,” said the member, who represents Ras Al Khaimah.

“We are aiming for 90 per cent pure air by 2021 ... I don’t think we will be ready by then from the way things are now. There should be more co-ordination and more effort from the ministry to tackle the issue.”

Dr Al Zeyoudi said pollution from stone factories had been dealt with, with 55 fines issued against offenders. He said the ministry also conducted 3,000 random inspections between 2014 and last year.

The council also raised an official recommendation to the government to compensate fishermen affected by the country’s annual fishing ban on safi and sheri fish.

Dubai member Hamad Al Rahoomi presented Dr Al Zeyoudi with videos that showed 90 per cent of fishermen’s catches during the two-month ban was sheri and safi.

“They had to throw back everything they caught and they would not even make up for the cost of the fishing trip,” he said. “A number of ministry officials said the fishermen are free to catch other types of fish, but this is the reality of the situation during this season.

“We need to find a quick solution so the fishermen will not continue to suffer.”

Dr Al Zeyoudi said despite the financial strain on fishermen, the bans had increased fish populations by 88 per cent between 2011 and last yeart.

“Increasing the fish is a goal that we aim for, but we ask that this vulnerable group, whose voices are barely heard, do not suffer as a result,” Mr Al Rahoomi said.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said he would study the recommendation and return to the FNC with the results.

We are aiming for 90 per cent pure air by 2021 ... I don’t think we will be ready by then SALEM AL SHEHHI Member for Ras Al Khaimah