SDG 14: Life Below Water
14.4 Water sensitive waste disposal
Water sensitive waste disposal
The American University of the Middle East ensures water sensitive waste disposal by implementing its waste disposal program including increased efforts for plastic use reduction and chemical waste segregation. This is followed by awareness programs that encourage eco-friendly water sensitive waste disposal.
We are thrilled to launch the AUM Recycling Project ♻️to engage you further in our recycling operations.
Join us in recycling paper and plastic and help save the environment. ☘️🪴♻️ Please watch the video carefully to be aware of the proper segregation practices and follow the instructions written on the bins across campus.
Stay tuned for more updates and activities related to recycling!
In Fall 2021, one of the very first initiatives when students came back to campus after Covid-19 period, was the launching of “Toward Zero Waste Campus” Initiative led by students to strengthen awareness, promote ethical sourcing and remind them on the importance of recycling.
Strong guidance was given on how waste should go to each dedicated bin: paper, plastic, other waste.
The university has rigorous sourcing and recycling practices that are classified by different types of waste including hazardous waste from biology, chemistry and chemical engineering laboratories.
Upcycling Workshop – Plastic to Plant
AUM launched an upcycling workshop series as part of its efforts to teach students about waste management, recycling, and responsible consumption. The first series of workshops was titled “Plastic to Plant” and comprised two sessions on the first week of December and another two sessions on the second week of the same month so both groups of students can attend, while taking all the necessary health and safety precautions.
The workshop started with an informative session about recycling, upcycling, the negative effects of waste on the environment, and the sustainable development goals. Different ideas about what kind of wastes can be upgraded into something artistic and have real usage were discussed during the workshop.
During the session, students learned how to give life to used plastic bottles by turning them into plant pots. Students enjoyed creating a pot from the plastic, designing the water bottle, and adding soil and a plant to it.
After the workshop, students hung the plants on a designated wall on campus.
Kubbar Island Beach Clean-up Initiative
AUM Students and Alumni volunteered in Kubbar Island beach clean-up initiative. This initiative aimed at raising awareness among AUM students and the community as a whole about the importance of protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and disseminating this knowledge among various segments of society.
Kubbar Island is one of the most significant islands in terms of breeding seabirds in Kuwait. Thus, it was announced as a natural reserve by the Environment Public Authority in Kuwait in 2023. It belongs to the group of islands in the southern region of Kuwait, which are subtropical coral cays and surrounded by beautiful clear waters. During Summer months, terns are found on the island nesting and laying an estimated amount of 15,000 eggs.
More about Kubbar Islands
The Kuwaiti islands have a unique and distinctive nature due to their biological diversity and based on the sensitivity of the southern islands, the esteemed Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. (1078) in its meeting No. (49/2002 held on 10/27/2002) allocating the southern Kuwaiti islands (Qaruh , Umm al-Maradim, Kubbar) natural reserves, and based on Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014 and its amendments and Resolution No. (2) of 2022 issued on 3/27/2022 regarding defining natural reserves and fencing, the owners and supervisors of them, and the classification of Kubbar Island as a natural reserve. And based on the Environment Public Authority’s role and responsibilities in implementing the Environment Protection Law, its regulations, and the decisions issued by it, in a way that requires preserving the environmental system and achieving sustainability of resources, and because Kubbar Island is one of the sensitive and important islands from an environmental point of view, due to its uniqueness with wildlife, ecology and biodiversity, and it is surrounded by coral reefs on all four sides. , which had a major role in attracting terns, and the island is considered one of its habitats, as these birds migrate to Kubbar Island annually, starting in May, to begin mating and laying eggs, before leaving with their chicks in August, migrating south towards the Indian Ocean, whose numbers are estimated after hatching. There are about 15,000 eggs, and different types of terns, such as white-cheeked, large and small-crowned terns, are endemic to the island, in addition to the bridled. And the static nature of the island and the absence of external influences from human intervention around the island makes it a magnet for the migration of these birds safely with the intention of nesting and laying eggs, and maintaining the continuation of attracting these birds to the island is what the Environment Public Authority seeks in terms of its role in applying the law and preserving the extension The sustainability of its wildlife and the food chain in the marine environment. The establishment of any events and the accompanying human activities around these reserves and an increase in the intensity of noise levels will have a negative impact on marine organisms and damage to the environment. Based on the foregoing, the Environment Public Authority considers not approving the holding of this type of event.
As part of the global initiative, which encourages people to clean the beaches in their area, AUM students accepted the challenge and cleaned the Anjafa Public Beach.
