Doha, Qatar – June 10, 2024: United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, celebrated World Environment Day at The Pearl Island with a series of engaging and educational activities for the community, in collaboration with United School International (USI). The event, held on June 5th, emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability through hands-on youth engagement and awareness campaigns.

One of the highlights of the educational event was the ‘Sustainability Action Maze’ competitions, a dynamic activity designed specifically for the youth of The Pearl Island. Participants navigated a specially designed maze, making critical decisions and analyzing the consequences of their actions. This interactive experience aimed to teach young participants the importance of sustainable practices and land restoration in their communities.

UDC's celebration of World Environment Day aligns seamlessly with its ongoing environmental-conscious practices. Among these, UDC has launched its annual six-month recycling campaign to encourage residents to recycle plastic by separating it from general waste. Participants will be rewarded with discount vouchers from participating outlets at The Pearl Island for every 1 kg of plastic recycled. To facilitate this effort, four collection points have been established across The Pearl Island, with recycling operations carried out in partnership with Seashore.

The Pearl Island community has made significant strides in recycling, achieving a 37% recycling rate for community and retail waste—a 15% increase from the previous year. This includes recycling plastics, paper/cardboard, aluminum cans, e-waste, and batteries. Notably this year, residents contributed 2.3 tons of plastic waste, which was successfully recycled into useful goods for the community.

Further demonstrating its commitment to environmental innovation, UDC has launched Collec'Thor Sea Cleaners, also known as Seabins. These floating trash collectors, made from recycled materials, have gathered over 2,500 kg of sea waste, including 147 kg of recyclables. This initiative highlights UDC's proactive approach to marine conservation and waste management.

Efficient waste management at The Pearl Island is not only essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment but also offers significant economic and environmental benefits. Since 2023, UDC's recycling efforts have resulted in savings equivalent to 8,400 trees, 212,000 barrels of crude oil, 3.4 million gallons of fresh water, 1,900 cbm of land space, and 2.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

In a further commitment to sustainable transportation, UDC has installed seven state-of-the-art EV chargers at The Pearl Island. These chargers support capacities of up to 60 kWh and 120 kWh, with one of the chargers being Qatar's fastest, capable of charging EVs up to 180 kWh and allowing vehicles to reach an 80% charge in just 10-15 minutes.

UDC's Environmental and Sustainability Strategy 2022-2026 recognizes the significant impact of plastic on climate change and aims to offset all greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy promotes low-carbon solutions, the reduction of plastic use, and the establishment of comprehensive recycling mechanisms throughout UDC's offices, worksites, and The Pearl Island. 

World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5th and established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, has become a global platform for environmental outreach. The Pearl Island community is therefore continually encouraged to embrace environmental awareness and action, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and championing environmental causes.

UDC remains committed to environmental action and sustainability, continually striving to enhance the quality of life for its residents while preserving and protecting the natural environment. Through initiatives like these, UDC aims to inspire a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility within The Pearl Island community.