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HE Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Green Hotel scheme has recorded a 120% increase in the amount of recyclable waste that is being diverted from landfill each month since it was launched just over two years ago.

The environmental initiative, which was introduced in March 2016 by Ras Al Khaimah’s Waste Management Agency (WMA), has resulted in 130 tonnes of waste materials being sorted and separated at source for recycling each month – up from an initial 60 tonnes per month.

WMA staff collect plastic, glass, cardboard, electronics and other recyclable waste from 26 hotels located throughout the UAE’s northernmost emirate. Each hotel has more than 100 rooms.

Earlier this year, WMA set each of the properties participating in the Ras Al Khaimah Green Hotel scheme the goal of sorting and separating 30% of all recyclable rubbish and food waste.

As of September, 18 hotels have either reached or exceed this target, some hotels having and impressive waste diversion rate of 70%.

The RAK Green Hotel scheme is part of the emirate’s drive to reach the 2021 UAE National Target of diverting 75% of all recyclable waste from landfill and to reduce the amount of waste produced by each resident to just 1.5kg each day down from the current nationwide average of 2.7kg. The Government of Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term goal is to help every hotel in the emirate reach 100% sustainability. — SG