Sharjah welcomed thousands of community members on December 10 as the Clean UAE campaign marked the third stop of its 24th cycle. The initiative, led by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, brought together residents, students and institutions for one of the country’s largest annual clean-up efforts.
The event was organised in partnership with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, with additional support from Sharjah Municipality — represented by Al Bataeh Area Municipality — and Sharjah Police. Fresh off successful clean-up activities in Dubai and Fujairah, the Sharjah edition carried strong momentum, enhanced further by the Sharjah Police musical band, which added a lively atmosphere throughout the day.
Community Effort Spanning 10km
Across several designated sites, around 1,900 volunteers participated in the clean-up, equipped with cotton T-shirts, caps, biodegradable bags and cotton gloves. Working across a 10km stretch of open land, the teams collected 1,237kg of general waste.
Recyclable materials were sorted on-site before being sent to local facilities, including:
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550kg of paper
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56kg of plastic
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23kg of glass
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20kg of scrap metal
Organisers said the detailed sorting process reflects the campaign’s message of responsible waste management and lasting environmental habits.
Calls for Collective Action Toward Sustainability
Speaking at the opening, Dr Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, highlighted the campaign’s two-decade legacy. Since its launch in 2002, she said, the initiative has helped embed sustainable practices across the Emirates and raised awareness about the importance of reducing waste.
Dr Al Mar’ashi noted that the campaign’s expansion mirrors the UAE’s growing commitment to sustainability. She added that its greatest impact lies in its ability to bring together people of different ages and backgrounds, strengthening social unity while advancing national environmental goals. Long-term progress, she stressed, depends on active participation from all segments of society.
Also attending was Eng. Amal Abdulrahim Mohammed, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, whose presence underscored the government’s support for collaborative environmental action between public, private and non-profit sectors.
Sharjah Institutions Spotlight Inclusion
Representing Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Khadija Ahmed Bamakhramah, Head of the Planning and Follow-up Department, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the campaign. She said the initiative promotes civic engagement and environmental responsibility across the Emirate, while also supporting the City’s mission to integrate people with disabilities into community activities.
She praised the cooperation between EEG, Al Bataeh Municipality and other partners, calling the event a model of collective action that advances environmental awareness and social inclusion.
