27 tonnes of waste collected on New Year's Eve in Dubai

Around 35 per cent increase has been witnessed in the amount of trash collected on the New Year's Eve of 2017 compared to the same period last year, said a senior Dubai Municipality official.
He attributed the increase to the large number of audiences who attended the much anticipated celebrations.
"A comprehensive clean up plan was scheduled three months ahead of the new year's eve as we were nudged that about 2 million people will be attending the celebrations. A total of 10,150 plastic bags of waste were collected with the help of 33 vehicles distributed in different areas," said Al Sifai, noting that most of the waste collected included fast food items, plastic bottles and cans left mainly by families who camped in different areas from the afternoon, anticipating the magnificent fireworks.
More than 800 cleaners from the municipality and private companies, as well as 35 supervisors undertook the cleanup activities that covered different areas of Dubai, with main focus on celebration sites.
Other areas included main roads such as Sheikh Zayed Road, Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Emirates Road, where a special team 28 of cleaners and three supervisors were deployed.
Four sand sweepers and safety vehicles and three vehicles for rapid intervention were also put into service at these areas.
According to Sifai, the cleaning process started at 5pm on 31st December and lasted until 10am of 1st January.
He added that 106 additional waste containers of different sizes were distributed in the most congested areas.
"We had also published awareness advertisements through local newspapers and the Municipality's social networking sites, calling for the public revelers to comply with the hygiene rules," said Sifai.
He said given Dubai's multicultural environment, different campaigns are being organized to address different populations and increase awareness that would help combat littering.
"We hope that people join their efforts with the municipality to reduce the amount of waste collected in the city," said Sifai.
The Waste Management Department has been focusing its awareness campaigns lately to maintain the cleanliness of the desert areas under "My Desert is My Environment". The campaign reached around 200 desert visitors in the University City and Al Tay area.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai