Dubai Municipality honours Innovations from Waste contest winners

The Dubai Municipality on Thursday honoured the winners of the fifth Innovations from Waste contest, which was organised by the Municipality’s Waste Management Department in co-operation with Dubai Educational Zone and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The winners were announced at a special ceremony held at the Children's City in the Creek Park after a special jury shortlisted the finalists in the competition.

The participants produced of a variety of artwork from various waste such as paper, plastic, wood, metal, electronic and construction waste and stones and tires. The contest was aimed at creating awareness among school students as well as faculty members on the importance of reducing waste, how to use them and find the most appropriate way for recycling, and also how educational institutions could support the efforts of the Dubai Municipality in reducing waste.

The contest encouraged students to do creative works of art, which would be on display later in prominent places such as public parks in the Emirate of Dubai or in the Children's City or government institutions which will enhance and consolidate a culture of waste recycling among the visitors to these places.

Taleb Julfar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Environment and Public Health Services Sector, who opened the exhibition of 28 works presented by students, praised the role of educational institutions in supporting and achieving the municipality's strategy to ensure a clean and sustainable environment. He also hailed their co-operation with the municipality in establishing a culture of waste recycling and awareness of the importance of minimising them.

Julfar congratulated the winners and faculty members and expressed admiration at the work and participation of the number of schools and students this year and also thanked the jury, which was formed from specialised technical evaluators of the Dubai Education Zone.

The Innovations from Waste contest, in its fifth cycle, saw the participation of more than 415 students from 45 educational institutions, and they produced 167 artworks, said Eng. Abdul Majeed Sifai, Director of Waste Management Department and Head of the Awareness Team in the field of Sustainable Waste Management, adding that these figures are increasing annually.