For the last five decades, the production and consumption of plastics have risen rapidly. In 2013, the production of plastics was approximately 299 million tons(Gourmelon). It was a slight increase from the prior year. These plastics materials ultimately become waste. Littering of these plastics has resulted in pollution of the environment (PR Newswire).  These wastes have been going from land to water bodies such as lakes, seas, rivers, and oceans. Plastic poison is also on the rise. It has destroyed animal life and cause the death of sea animals and birds (Guern).Approximately 8 million tons of plastic enter into oceans (UN Environment).

UAE has been adversely affected by plastic waste. The average UAE citizen is estimated to use 450 plastic bottles per year. The amount of plastic waste recycled in the UAE is less than 10%(Euronews). Plastic waste is prevalent in the desert, sea,and beaches. As a temporal solution, The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi has structured clean-ups. The real solution can only come from preventing the plastics from getting into the environment in the first place. Communities in the UAE have to rethink about how to use and get rid of plastics. Collaborations between the private sector, NGO’s and government, are needed to curb plastic waste.

Plastic production will double in the next two decades.It will multiplyfour times more by 2050(Laville, and Taylor).Emirates Wildlife Society is developing a partnership withEAD so that they can collaboratively create a plan to eliminate plastic waste. They have clearly outlined their goals which involve completely removing plastic waste from the environment, maximizing plastic recycling, and eliminating the use of unnecessary plastics. EAD is conducting high-level research through tests and samples to find out the size of micro-plastics in the Gulf and the source. Abu Dhabi will address and muster support for plastic waste reduction in the oceans and gulf during the World Oceans Summit this year.

Analysts expect that by 2021, plastic consumption to hit half a trillion, outweighing recycling efforts which will pollute coastlines, oceans and the landscape(Laville, and Taylor).Human beings and all other living things rely on the environment forfood and sustenance.As the superior species, it is our mandate to take care of Mother Nature for our sake and every living thing’s sake. The action steps like putting the plastic waste in the bin are simple,but the difficult thing is getting everyone to do this everyday.

How much plastic bottles are thrown in the AUD campus

Thousands of plastic bottles are thrown in the AUD campus. At least 90% of the student population in the AUD campus use plastic bottles daily. The average UAE citizen is estimated to use 450 plastic bottles per year. Most of the plastic waste in the AUD campus is from water bottles. Majority of the students use water bottles which they do not dispose of appropriately(Zakaria). Straws are also major plastic wastes prevalent on the campus.

What are the ways to educate the students and others in the AUD campus about plastic waste?

One of the best ways to educate the students and others in the AUD campus about plastic waste is through awareness programs. They need toeducate students aboutthe danger of plastic waste on the environment. They should be taught about the importance of recycling. A common unit on environmental awareness should be taughton the campus. All students have to study the unit.

Environmental protection clubs should create awareness to everyone on the campus including workers through seminars. They should emphasize on the importance of recycling plastic waste. Suitable waste management and adequate facilities should be set up to promote recycling(Abdelnaser et al.). Information should be collected by giving out questionnaires. By doing this, you will be able to find out the level of awareness about environmental preservation and how to come up with a program to train students and others. The lessons should be taught practically.

What methods do other schools or universities in the UAE followto control plastic pollution

Schools in UAE are participating in runs to create awareness about the protection of oceans. The initiative started with the objective of educating the public on the need to protect the water bodies.  The incident where a whale died in Thailand due to overconsumption of plastic bags triggered environmental awareness(Lau, and Stewart).  “Run for the oceans” initiative aims to protect marine life. The Parley Ocean Plastic Programhas partnered with Adidasto drive the education initiative.

The government is using teachers and parents as the messengers to teach students about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of recycling. Most students have an average awareness of environmental preservation. The Simply Bottles UAE School Initiative is teaching students about the importance of recycling solid waste. The program emphasizes on practically getting rid of plastic knowledge and not just head knowledge. DGrade is setting up suitable waste management and adequate facilities in schools to promote recycling.

National Geographic Abu Dhabi has started a global campaign dubbed “Planet or Plastic?” which focuses on consumer education and engagement,especially in schools. A studydone in Sharjah cityamong secondary school students found out that the majority of them knew about the dangers of plastic bags (Hammami et al.). The study found that girls practiced recycling more than boys.

Works Cited

Euronews. “Can Turning Plastic Bottles Into Clothing Help Solve The UAE’S Waste Problem?”. Euronews, 2018, https://www.euronews.com/2018/10/26/can-turning-plastic-bottles-into-clothing-help-solve-the-uae-s-waste-problem.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Gourmelon, Gaelle. “Global Plastic Production Rises, Recycling Lags | Worldwatch Institute”. Worldwatch.Org, 2015, http://www.worldwatch.org/global-plastic-production-rises-recycling-lags-0.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Guern, Claire. “Plastic Pollution”. Plastic-Pollution.Org, 2018, http://plastic-pollution.org/.

Hammami, Mohammad B., et al. “Survey on Awareness and Attitudes of Secondary School Students regarding Plastic Pollution: Implications for Environmental Education and Public Health in Sharjah City, UAE.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, vol. 24, no. 25, 2017, pp. 20626-20633. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/1933469422?accountid=45049, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9625-x.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Lau, Evelyn, and Ashleigh Stewart. “Here Are 5 Initiatives Currently Happening In The UAE To Stop Plastic Pollution”. The National, 2018, https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/wellbeing/here-are-5-initiatives-currently-happening-in-the-uae-to-stop-plastic-pollution-1.738008.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Laville, Sandra, and Matthew Taylor. “A Million Plastic Bottles A Minute”. Gulfnews.Com, 2017, https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/a-million-plastic-bottles-a-minute-1.2053535.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

“Ocean Plastic Waste Knocks on Corporate Doorsteps.” Business Mirror, Oct 01, 2017. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/1945076319?accountid=45049.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Omran, Abdelnaser, Muhammad Bah, and Amir H. Baharuddin.”Investigating the Level of Environmental Awareness and Practices on Recycling of Solid Wastes at University’s Campus in Malaysia.” Journal of Environmental Management & Tourism, vol. 8, no. 3, 2017, pp. 554-566. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/1962576716?accountid=45049, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v8.3(19).06.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

“”Think Beyond Plastic” Seeks Disruptive Solutions to Plastic Pollution Crisis.” PR Newswire, Feb 14, 2013. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/1287564630?accountid=45049.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

UN Environment. “Single-Use Plastics: A Roadmap For Sustainability”. UN Environment, 2017, https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/report/single-use-plastics-roadmap-sustainability.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.

Zakaria, Sherouk. “Go Drastic On Plastic Waste In UAE”. Khaleej Times, 2018, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/go-drastic-on-plastic-in-uae.Accessed 26 Feb 2019.