Doha College, one of the oldest international schools in Qatar and the first to have been granted the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) green flag status six years ago, has reached another eco-milestone by opening a recycling centre on site.
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A subsidiary of Elite Waste Recycling, EPR can recycle all types of wastepaper, and provides waste and recycling collections, among many other environmental services.
EPR public relations director Maryam al-Sayed shared her delight at this new development: “I would like to express our gratitude for the efforts of Doha College, especially the Eco-Schools team, in preserving the environment and instilling these values in students, making them ambassadors of the environment in our society.”
"We are pleased to announce that Doha College is the first school with which we fully implemented recycling by installing a recycling station on the school campus,” she said. “We are delighted to see young environmental heroes who are working to raise awareness among students and parents of the importance of doing this step.”
“Doha College is making great efforts in this field, which is an excellent example for other schools to follow, and this is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly with regards to ‘environmental development’,” al-Sayed added.
During the 2021-22 academic year, Doha College put in practice a number of eco initiatives, including:
* A sustainability week from November 28 to December 2, 2021, with each day recognising a different environmental theme.
* A live workshop from the COP26 conference on climate change.
* Raising QR8,231 for WWF animals (specifically an elephant, a tiger and a giant panda), and QR8,231 for the #TEAMSEAS initiative to remove rubbish from the ocean.
* The incorporation of a recycling theme on World Book Day, namely a book swap.
* The creation of a Meatless March Cookbook, in collaboration with the school’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion committee.
* A beach clean-up in collaboration with DEAP Qatar.
* The turning off of lights to celebrate Earth Hour.
* Raising over QR10,000 on World Earth Day and taking part in a WWF and British Antarctic Survey public science project.
* Participating in the FIFA green card campaign, having been nominated by DEAP Qatar.
Since the opening of the recycling centre, students and staff have been using it not just to recycle the waste created in school, but have also been bringing recyclables from home, with parents doing their bit in equal measure.
Principal Dr Steffen Sommer said on the occasion: “We are exceptionally proud that we live up to the sustainability award that we received in 2018, as the first institution in Qatar, and we’re very proud that we already two ‘green’ flags, and are now going through the motions of getting the third ‘green’ flag.”
“Our planet is at risk, and education is essential for our young people to fully understand that recycling is an integral part of sustainability, of keeping the planet safe and sustainable for future generations,” he said. “We hope that this notion, through the students, reverberates with parents and friends so that recycling, which may be seen as a hassle to start with, will soon become normality.”
“I am exceptionally proud of the relationship with EPR, and I am also proud that Doha College is one of the first schools that chose this way here in Qatar, and I hope that very many will follow very soon,” Dr Sommer added.