NMDC Group, an engineering, procurement, construction, and marine dredging company, has announced its partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to launch a beach cleaning initiative to tackle plastic pollution along Abu Dhabi’s coastline.
According to UN estimates, plastic pollution is set to nearly triple by 2040, and already between 8 and 12 million tonnes of it enters the earth’s oceans each year.
Aimed at addressing this plastic problem regionally, the project’s first phase will deploy two specialised beach cleaning machines capable of processing various types of waste.
NMDC Group’s machines are designed to operate in shallow waters, and are capable of reaching depths up to half a meter, featuring a 15-metre-long and 4-metre-wide hydraulic arm.
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said that the project aligns with both EAD’s strategic objectives and national directives.
“It is also part of our citizen science education programme “Sahim,” said Her Excellency Dr. Al Dhaheri.
“We hope it will contribute to creating a healthy, clean, and safe environment for every community member in Abu Dhabi and advance the UAE’s efforts at local, regional, and global levels to promote sustainability practices and principles essential for the preservation of diverse ecosystems around the world.”
Engineer Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO of NMDC Group, explained that, in the second phase of the initiative, the company plans to expand the deployment of the equipment.