SustainableQATAR’s 52 weekly challenges – that is one challenge per week for a whole year themed by month – are Qatar-specific and Qatar-relevant opportunities for all residents to take actions in personal life, work and within our communities.

To participate, please read the short statement about the impact of our personal actions and why it matters to start doing things differently. Learn why it matters and how you can make a difference by following the suggested alternative.

Challenge #12: May 20 ~ CLOSE THE LOOP: Beyond Recycling

Help! Does no one recycle in this town?” This is usually the first question we receive from newcomers to Doha. Some of us are accustomed to waste separation in every household and people who just arrived in Doha are baffled about the seeming lack of recycling infrastructure here.

There is more recycling in Doha than meets the eye. Maybe it is not perfect and not convenient yet, but it is already possible to bring our waste to several recycling points around the city. Here is an initial list, but the number is rising! Please let us know of any missing ones. Recycling in Qatar is still a pioneering effort that requires a bit of personal will, initiative and action… and as with every major change we want to see in the world, together we can make it happen!

Recycling is a way to maximize economic gain because it retains material value by keeping it in the supply chain and out of the landfill. The resulting reduced carbon footprint can save a lot of CO₂ emissions.

Taking cardboard and paper to a recycling bin, this is how much emissions we save: To set up a paper recycling program in your company or in your compound, you can contact these two paper recycling companies in Qatar. They pick up your wastepaper for a minimal cost and use it as raw material for brown paper for corrugated cardboard boxes (and this list is growing!):

Before thinking about recycling, there are other “Rs” that contribute to a positive impact on the environment.

Reduce – Use less. Ask “Do I really need this?”

Reuse – Use things again, in different ways. Ask “How can this product be still useful?”

Remake – Be creative. Ask “How can I give this a new life?”

Refuse – Be firm and say no to what we don’t need. Ask “Do I need this single-use item?”

Respect – Appreciate what we have. Ask “Am I maximizing its value?”

Repair – Give it another chance. Ask “How can I fix this?” (TIP: You can find YouTube videos on fixing just about everything)

Restore – Give it even one more chance. Ask “How can I make this even better?”

Recycle – As a last resort, recycle what you can instead of putting it in the trash.

Remember – Keep these questions in mind. Ask “Before throwing this away, have I considered all 9 Rs?”

Testing our short and long-term memory by remembering these 9 “Rs” can help with a mindset shift toward closing the loop. As consumers, we can exercise our purchase power and reduce demand, thereby reducing CO₂ generated by new production processes and the amount of waste generated.

These 9 ‘Rs” contribute to delivering UN Sustainable Development Goals #12 Responsible Consumption, #13 Climate Action, #14 Life Below Water, and #15 Life On Land.

Take a photo of your weekly action and post it on social media using hashtags #SustainableQATAR #52Challenges.

About SustainableQATAR

SustainableQatar, an independent action-based think and do tank that addresses environmental sustainability in Qatar, was founded in 2008 to raise awareness, share actionable knowledge, and encourage connections and collaboration between individuals and groups.

Website: http://www.sustainableqatar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableQatar/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SustainQatar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainableqatar/

We know it takes more than a few small personal initiatives to make our planet eco-friendly. But if you can make one lifestyle change each day this coming week, it’s a start! So are you going to participate in this week's challenge? Let us know what you think about SustainableQATAR’s 52 weekly challenges! And also don’t forget to give us a like and a share – you know it keeps us going!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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