Bee’ah opens up registration for and Sharjah Environment Awareness Awards and Inter-school Recycling Competition 2017

Bee’ah, the Middle East’s integrated environmental and waste management company, has once again invited schools to register to participate in its two annually-held competitions: The 7th Sharjah Environment Awareness Award (SEAA); and the 4th Inter-School Recycling Competition (IRSC), for the academic year 2016-2017.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Bee’ah’s HQ on 7thSeptember, with the theme for the SEAA outlined as: “Climate Change Caused by Air Pollution”. 

Directed by the innovative vision of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah – to disseminate a culture of environmental awareness among all members of society – the competitions have become a catalyst for achieving these goals and have become an important fixture on the Sharjah event calendar.

Supported by the Ministry of Education, The 2016-2017 SEAA is expected to welcome a record number of entrants from schools, students and teachers – from nursery (kindergarten) level to Grade 12.

Split into five award categories – three for schools and two for outstanding individuals (one student and one teacher) – the SEAA is divided by age groupings as well as the type and form of the submission. For example, school years KG to Grade 2 will be assessed on “Best Environmental Play”; Grade 3 to 6 will be required to submit entries for  “Best Environmental Movie”; and Grade 7 – 12 is assessed on the “Best Environmental Solution”. The latter award was previously named “Best Environmental Innovation”. This year it has been changed so that entrants can present a concept for environmental innovation, rather than being limited to an actual working prototype.

To further inspire students to reduce waste, Bee’ah – with its subsidiary Tandeef – will also be organising the Inter-school Recycling Competition (ISRC) for the fourth year in a row. This year’s edition will see the introduction of a third-place winner. Over the period of an academic year, participating schools compete to collect the most paper, plastic and aluminium materials.

The results of the ISRC are posted on the Bee’ah School of Environment (BSOE) website on a monthly basis and the winners of the competition (three schools, in each of the small, medium and large categories, which collect the highest amount of recyclables) receive a cash prize as well.

To enter both competitions, schools and individuals must: be located within Sharjah; and for the SEAA, entrants must also be able to prove that there is an established “Eco-Club” at the school. 

Speaking ahead of the press conference announcement, Fahad Shehail, Chief Development Officer at Bee’ah, said: 

“The aim of these competitions is to increase environmental awareness among students from kindergarten-level to Grade 12, as well as encouraging young people to actively participate in environmentally educational activities – both within their school system and through their own self-initiative.”

Highlighting the theme of SEAA 2017, Shehail added: “Air pollution has far-reaching effects for the environment, animals and people around the world. While natural causes such as volcanic eruptions or forest fires can contribute, it is the alarming amount of air pollutants – produced as a direct result of industrialised human activity – that must be addressed, and raising awareness and taking action to reduce their impact is the ultimate goal.”

“The aim of the ISRC is to reinforce and improve the recycling performance of schools, the students and their families. This is in line with Bee’ah’s efforts to promote sustainable practices and reduce waste. The competition also supports Bee’ah’s pledge to make Sharjah a greener and cleaner place, as well as to be seen as environmentally responsible,” Shehail concluded.

Schools will have from the date of the press conference until the 6th October to register for both competitions. The date for submitting final SEAA projects is 9thMarch 2017. Judges will then take two weeks to assess all projects and submissions, before going on a tour of the schools shortlisted for the nominations, from 10th – 25thApril 2017. 

The announcement of the winners, from both competitions, will be made at an awards ceremony in May 2017.