|
The Higher Cooperation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) recently organized a workshop titled “Eco-Friendly Plastic Bags”, which was held at the Park Rotana in Abu Dhabi, in line with its commitment to support environmental efforts. A joint initiative with the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), the Ministry of Environment and Water, and the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD), the event provided significant information for attendees by highlighting steps and measures that had been taken to ban the manufacturing of non-degradable plastic bags. The use of non-degradable bags has been officially banned in the UAE since January 2012, as studies showed that the consumption of non-degradable plastic bags in the UAE amounted to 11.6 billion bags annually.
The workshop was held as a reflection of Ministerial Decree No. (451) for the year 2011, which obliges all manufacturers of plastic bags to register their bio-degradable products. The event received wide interest, and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Water, EAD, Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED), Abu Dhabi Customs Administration (ADCA), ESMA, and all related factories within ZonesCorp that produce plastic bags, which amount to 18 factories.
HE Al Qamzi praised the workshop and highlighted its importance saying: “We are all well aware of the harmful effects that non-degradable items produce for humans, animals and the environment, as they continue to accumulate around the world, with an absence of an effective method to dispose of them in a safe manner. The more industries we tap into, the more conscious we have to be towards our environment. This is due to technology waste, and the negative effects it produces, which can sometimes outweigh benefits. It is our duty to minimize these effects as much as possible.”
Mubarak Zayed Al Mansouri, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Compliance – Industrial at ZonesCorp added: “ZonesCorp has always been at the forefront with regards to supporting important environmental initiatives in the UAE. In addition to promoting the growth of the nation’s industrial sector, we also believe in jointing efforts with other governmental entities and investors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We organized this workshop in order to enhance knowledge and awareness on the significance of abiding by the recent regulations regarding manufacturing bio-degradable plastic bags. Our natural environment and the life of our future generations demands that we provide greater focus on this issue.”
HE Eng. Mohammad Saleh Badri, acting Director General of ESMA praised the efforts undertaken by ZonesCorp in organizing this workshop, where attendees were introduced to the ministerial decision pertaining to the production of plastic bags and to ESMA’s role in implementing these regulations, due to the positive effects it posed for the environment and the national economy.
HE Eng. Badri added: “Since its establishment, ESMA has been committed to safeguarding the UAE’s environmental, safety and health standards. Our entity has prepared the UAE National Standard for Bio-Degradable Plastic Bags and a conformity assessment program for these bags, within the UAE’s national conformity assessment system.”
“ESMA’s strategy incorporates a number of plans and programs meant to preserve the environment, in line with the directives of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to implement efforts to provide a safe environment for UAE citizens,” he added.
HE Eng. Badri indicated that the Authority is joining efforts with the Ministry of Environment and Water and other bodies to inform factories of the UAE standards and steps required for registering plastic bags, and other items that results in bio-degradable waste.
Dr. Mohamed Al Madfai, Deputy Executive Director of Integrated Environment policy & Planning Sector at EAD, went on to thank all attending factories, and emphasized the importance of abiding by environmental policies pertaining to the issue, indicating: “By following the policies set by the government with regards to the manufacturing of bio-degradable plastic bags, we can ensure positive results for our environment and economy alike. These regulations are meant to reduce pollution rates to protect our planet for generations to come.”
Dr. Al Madfai stated that he hoped that this workshop would aid all plastic bag factories in Abu Dhabi in completing their product registration process at ESMA and to obtain their certificate of conformity at the soonest time possible.
ZonesCorp has always been committed to implementing environmental initiatives, where it has previously signed an MOU with EAD pledging to abide by all the Emirate’s rules and regulations to protect the environment and the UAE’s natural resources. ZonesCorp also recently co-organized a cleaning campaign for its worker residential city in Musafah with Sawaeed Employment LLC.
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
