Borouge launches 'Clean-Up the Gulf' campaign in Abu Dhabi

Hundreds of Borouge employeesand their families, school students, business partners and diving volunteersparticipated in Abu Dhabi's 'Clean-Up the Gulf' campaign which Borouge launchedin cooperation with the Centre of Waste Management (CWM) – Abu Dhabi, at YasIsland beach on February 27, 2013. Initiated by the Gulf Petrochemicals &Chemicals Association (GPCA) and organised by Borouge and CWM with support fromthe Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, aims to raise awareness about the impactof littering and the ecological pollution resulted from disposing waste on landand into the seas.

The 'Clean-Up the Gulf'campaign is being held simultaneously across the Gulf in Riyadh, Rabigh and AlJubail in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The event contributesto triggering actions that must be taken by governments, environmental organisationsand the general public to avoid marine littering and adopt preventive attitudesthat ensure a better and safer protection of the marine environment.

As a leading member of the GPCA,Borouge is proud to contribute to the 'Clean-Up the Gulf' campaign whichreflects its continuous commitment to sustainability and social responsibilityfocused on increasing awareness about the importance of preserving theenvironment in which we work and live.

"The clean-up in Abu Dhabi aimsto provoke the sense of responsibility among our employees, school children andthe general public as a whole towards the importance of protecting ourenvironment," said Abdulaziz Alhajri CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company(Borouge) and Chairman of the Plastics Committee of the GPCA. "We are not alonein facing the global problem of marine litter and that is why the solutionrequires a collective effort where we all can do something to make adifference."

"As a leading provider ofinnovative plastics solutions that contribute to addressing major globalchallenges and as a responsible industry partner in the Abu Dhabi community,Borouge not only promotes the use of plastics in our daily life, but it alsoencourages the responsible use of plastics and advocates the reuse, recyclingand recovery of plastics."

Engineer Hani Hosni, Head of EHS Sector at CWM, hailed the jointefforts with Borouge in organizing the clean-up campaign. "Our mission as theauthority responsible for coordinating and controlling waste management acrossthe Emirate of Abu Dhabi and as responsible citizens in our community urges usto adopt and promote a proactive approach to safeguarding our natural resourcesfor future generations. In doing so, we aim to emulate the practices andstandards handed down by our forefathers." "This initiative translates our commitment toembedding sustainable culture and behaviours across the public and all relevantstakeholders."

"Plastics is a valuableproduct economically and sustainably and it makes an important part of everydaylife, however, irresponsible littering behaviour, limited infrastructure forrecycling in the region and the knowledge about proper waste disposal istarnishing the image of plastics," said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, SecretaryGeneral of GPCA. "The Clean-Up the Gulf is an initiative by GPCA to createawareness among people that plastics as a by-product of oil and gas, is toovaluable to throw away. This campaign will involve our industries and localcommunities in keeping our streets, beaches and deserts litter free."

Experts estimate that up to80% of marine litter is from land-based sources, such as poor waste managementand sewage overflows. Roughly 70% of marine litter, such as glass, metal andall sorts of marine equipment and other refuse, sinks to the ocean floor whilethe remainder floats on the water surface.

Marine litter ishuman-created waste that has been discharged into the coastal or marineenvironment. Marine litter can harm ocean ecosystems, wildlife and humans. Itcan injure coral reefs and bottom dwelling species and entangle or drown ocean livingcreatures. Some marine animals ingest the litter and choke or starve. Medicalwaste, such as syringes, sharp objects and large pieces of litter can pose adirect threat to humans. Its effects have prompted governments, private enterprises,environmental groups and countless citizens to take action.

In March 2011, leaders fromplastics organizations across the globe signed a declaration to combat marinelitter. 'The Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on MarineLitter' represents a public commitment by a global industry to tackle a globalproblem. The Declaration outlines that the plastics industry cannot take directaction on the pile of debris in seas and oceans and that it will require aresponse from global governments, if anything is to be achieved. The GPCA signedthe Declaration committing the Gulf States Industry to be part of the globalaction group.

Recognising their important role in fighting marinelitter, the plastics associations defined six public commitments that aim atcontributing to sustainable solutions and focus on education, research, publicpolicy, sharing best practices, plastics recycling/recovery and plastic pelletcontainment.

The participants inthe Clean-Up campaign were provided with T-shirts, gloves, caps and bags tocollect the waste left on Yas Island beach. Divers from Borouge and othervolunteering scuba diving experts have also participated in the campaign andcollected different kinds of debris and waste from the sea. The EnvironmentAgency - Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Diving Association, Al Mahara Diving Centreand the Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority havesuccessfully supported the clean-up campaign.

Borouge was established in1998 as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) andAustria based Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plasticssolutions. Borouge is a groundbreaking international partnership at theforefront of the next generation of plastics innovation.

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Forfurther information, please contact:

Tel. +971 2 6070807, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Adel Al Fahim, RegionalCommunications Manager, Borouge

Tel.+9712 6070805, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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