Following a weekend filled with celebrations and events, several communities in the UAE were left with streets littered with silly string and other party debris.
Many residents have taken to social media to post videos of the celebration areas, highlighting the litter scattered across the streets and voicing their discontent.
In response, residents throughout the UAE are being urged to participate in a nationwide clean-up drive on Wednesday, December 3. This initiative is inspired by Sheikha Shamma Al Nahyan, President and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA).
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After the 54th UAE National Day celebrations, Sheikha Shamma expressed her disappointment on social media about the litter left behind. “It saddens me to see our city in such a state after an important day of celebration,” she wrote on Instagram. “Let’s honor National Day by cleaning our city.”
This message quickly spurred action, as her office, in partnership with Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company), launched the “Pride into Action” campaign. Assembly points were arranged swiftly, and volunteers were called upon to help restore community pride.
She encouraged participation on Instagram, noting, “Even if you can’t reach these locations, you can contribute by cleaning your area anywhere in the UAE.”
The community responded with enthusiasm: citizens, expatriates, families, and corporate teams gathered, armed with gloves and bags, committed to restoring the city’s beauty.
The clean-up began at 5 pm yesterday, with volunteers tackling stubborn waste, such as the remnants of party sprays and silly string stuck to the roads, which she noted “are difficult to remove.”
A young schoolgirl, still in her school attire, joined immediately after classes. Sheikha Shamma shared her photo, calling her “an eco-warrior straight from school.”
The business sector also contributed significantly, motivating employees to join the effort. She expressed her appreciation for the broad support: “Thank you to everyone who participated and helped clean our beautiful cities. I am thrilled by the level of engagement, including businesses involving their employees.”
