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Ras Al Khaimah Launches Pioneering Recycling Initiatives

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The Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Agency (RAKWMA) has announced plans for the next stage of its ambitious recycling initiative that aims to transform the way the Emirate’s community disposes of its waste.

Mr. Al Hamamdi, General Manager of PSD (The Public Services Department) said “I am incredibly proud of all that is happening in Ras Al Kahimah to support the year of Zayed and the efforts being made to reach the National Targets set to protect our environment and contribute to the global efforts related to climate change.”

Phase two of the ‘RAK Recycles’ scheme will see repurposed shipping containers installed at key locations and communities across the emirate to act as Food Waste Treatment Centres and Recycling Drop-off Centres.

The containers will allow RAKWMA to efficiently deal with the collection of recyclable household waste and the conversion of Food Waste into compost and other soil enhancing products for use in landscaping and farming.

This initiative follows on from the successful ‘RAK Recycles’ home recycling and waste sorting scheme, launched in September last year.

Communities in Al Dhait, Rams, the Southern region of RAK, all RAK Properties developments and the Al Hamra area have already been provided with green bags for the collection of recyclables such as plastics, paper, cardboard, cans and glass bottles, and brown bags for food waste.

All other areas of Ras Al Khaimah will be receiving their recycling bags before the end of June 2018.

Households are encouraged to sort their waste into either green or brown bags before it is collected. Separating waste means more high-quality recyclable products can be easily processed and sold.

‘RAK Recycles’ has been met with such enthusiasm by the community that officials at RAKWMA plan to expand operations by targeting new initiatives to further support the recycling of food and household waste.

Drop-off centres for recyclable household items will be opened at Saqr Park, in the front parking lot, and in RAK Mall’s parking lot to encourage residents and small businesses to properly dispose of even more waste alongside what they already put into the ‘RAK Recycles’ green bags.

Three food waste treatment centres will be opened at Al Hamra Mall, the RAK Vegetable Market, the Mairid Fish Market and an outreach centre and  food bank will be established on the Corniche.

Non-edible food waste such as food that is past its consume by date, will be composted or digested at the food waste treatment centres reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfills. Food waste landing up in landfills is a major contributor to climate change due to leachate generation, greenhouse gas emissions and space consumption.

All the new centres will be easily accessible on foot and by car. One hundred per cent of the waste that is dropped off at any of the centres will be recycled.

Engineer Sonia Nasser Executive Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Waste Management Agency, said: “By having Composting Hubs, Food Banks and Recycling Drop-off Centres, RAKWMA is actively engaging the public in the important act of recycling”.

Traditionally, waste was thrown away by consumers and taken to landfill, incinerated or recycled out of the public eye. Now the recycling process is decentralised, with the waste collection, disposal and processing being made known and visible to the public.

The idea of composting hubs and drop-off points is simple but can have a big impact – the centres are small, the logistics of setting them up are easy, and they are centrally located so residents can actively and easily participate.

According to Sonia Nasser, “Our ultimate objective is to improve the community of Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to recycling, sustainability and other important environmental issues in order to preserve the emirate’s stunning natural beauty for generations to come.”

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