Tadweer Launches School Awareness Program in Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Education Council

To Honor Distinguished Schools during EcoWaste 2015

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 2 November, 2014 - In its efforts to support the Abu Dhabi Environmental Vision 2030, Tadweer (the Center of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi) has rolled out an emirate-wide awareness program targeting the students and teaching staff at primary, secondary and high schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Organized in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the program that runs over a two-month period aims to promote eco-awareness and educate students about the importance of waste reduction, reuse and recycling while instilling a civic sense and responsibility towards the community.

Additionally, it will enable schools to meet the requirements of Sustainable Schools Initiative set by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).
Tadweer will assess the level of implementation of environment standards in the participating schools in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Education Council. Schools that demonstrate an outstanding level of eco-awareness will be honored at the prominent industry event EcoWaste 2015, scheduled to run from January 19 - 22 during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

In the run up to the launch of the program, Tadweer conducted a series of workshops for school directors and coordinators in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The initiative offered an overview of the stages and methodology of the awareness program, as well as the criteria of assessment that will be used to evaluate schools on sustainability ahead of EcoWaste 2015. The workshops were attended by 180 teachers and HSE representatives from 98 schools in Abu Dhabi city, 140 teachers from 95 schools in the city of Al Ain, and 45 teachers from 30 schools in the western region.

Eng. Hani Hossni, Strategy and Business Development Acting Executive Director, Tadweer, said: "At Tadweer we are always keen to develop and implement special awareness programs for school students in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Students are the most impressionable and form an enthusiastic segment of the community. Our efforts are directed to involve this group in our activities as part of our aim to raise awareness on the importance of reducing the generation of waste.” 

“Our latest campaign drives home the importance of reusing products as well as segregating waste at source. The awareness program also highlights the role of education in instilling public health practices, and contributing to creating a sustainable environment in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on par with international environment standards."

Fatima Al Harmoudi, Public Awareness Officer, Tadweer, said: "Through this program, we aim to effectively integrate the principles of waste management with classroom techniques and curricula to highlight the principles of waste segregation and the three R’s of the environment. Teachers have an important role to play in cultivating the awareness among students and we call upon them to proactively engage in this effort for ensuring the success of the program."

Nada Al Khamis, Senior Public Awareness Officer at Tadweer made a presentation to outline the selection criteria and requirement of Eco-Awareness Competition launched by Tadweer, calling upon teachers to encourage students to participate in the competition. 

Hayat Hasan Al Marzouqi, art education teacher at Al Assala Primary School, said: "We commend Tadweer’s gesture to institute the award for schools in the domain of sustainability. The initiative is well timed award and reflects the UAE’s commitment to shape an eco-friendly world for the next generation." 

The Center of Waste Management (Tadweer) is tasked with the collection, maintenance, transportation, and the processing of waste management services in a safe, efficient and economically-viable manner in Abu Dhabi. To achieve its goals, Tadweer implements integrated systems and sustainable models to the best international standards and in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.