Panasonic Partners with Dubai Municipality, Environmental Center for Arab Towns and Imdaad 

(MENAFN Press) Dubai, UAE, 15th February 2013 -

Panasonic employees collected more than 600 kg of plastic waste from their communities during a month-long sustainability drive. To mark an ecological start to the New Year, the waste was sent for recycling to Imdaad, UAE's leading provider of integrated facilities management solutions.

The community clean-up initiative was just one component of the drive, which witnessed Panasonic's staff taking time out to work with Dubai Municipality and the Environmental Center for Arab Towns for a Family Fun Day that gave the popular Zabeel Park a welcome environmental make-over.

"Dubai municipality is committed to providing a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all who live in and visit this wonderful city. It is encouraging for us to know that global corporations are making a concerted effort to provide a sustainable green future," said H.E. Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality. "We will continue to cooperate with companies like Panasonic in support of their key eco initiatives," he added.

"As a green and eco-centric company, we feel the responsibility to contribute towards a sustainable natural world, so over the course of the month, Panasonic employees have been collecting plastic waste from their neighbourhoods," said Mr Masao Motoki, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa (PMMAF). "We believe in leading by example and our plastic recycling initiative and clean-up drive is just the start towards realising our goal to make certain, we create a greener, healthier and safer environment for generations to come," he added.

According to industry research, recycling one ton of plastic saves 16 barrels of oil and uses only two thirds of the energy when compared to producing fresh plastic from virgin raw materials. It also helps to extend the lifespan of fossil fuel reserves and saves 5000kw-hours of electric energy.

Panasonic's environmental drive is a key component of its aim to be the No. 1 green innovation company in the Middle East electronics sector and by 2018, the 100th anniversary of its foundation.
Commenting on the drive, Mr. Mahmood Hussein Rasheed, COO of Imdaad said, "Waste management is one of the biggest challenges that must be addressed by a fast-growing economy such as the UAE. We at Imdaad are very keen to move on with our Be'ati initiative that focuses on the environment. Thus, it is encouraging to know that Panasonic has taken such an active role in creating a comprehensive waste recycling program for the society. Such proactive efforts are in short supply, and our environment needs such corporations and individuals to be environmentally conscious if we are to have a clean future."
The month-long plastic recycling activity culminated with the Panasonic Family Fun Day and Clean-up Drive at the Zabeel Park, Dubai, on Friday, February 15th. As part of the event, which was organised in conjunction with the Dubai Municipality and the Environmental Center for Arab Towns, Panasonic employees, their family and friends, rolled up their sleeves to clear up the park, allowing Dubai municipality staff to enjoy a relaxed day off from their duties.

Donning colourful T-shirts, the Panasonic employees were formed into different teams for the tidy-up and were rewarded for their concerted efforts. The day out also featured a fun programme of recreational activities for the families taking part.

The Zabeel Park Clean-Up Drive received tremendous support and co-operation from a variety of sponsors including Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, PepsiCo, Almarai, ICE Watches, Football Centre, Platform Fitness 3, and Studio Photography. Hello FM participated as a radio partner, with Inpress Advertising involved as a media partner.

Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa is a driving force for eco-initiatives, educational activities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes across the MEA region. Many of these activities are held in collaboration with business partners, governments, international NGOs, and other stakeholders.