When we think of what we are leaving behind for future generations, the harsh reality is a vast legacy of plastic pollutants that take up to 450 years to disintegrate. The silver lining is that innovation has always been our superhuman strength.
Climate change is a non-disputable global challenge, but the collective vision of an eco-revolution is slowly changing mindsets and organic sustenance is making its positive presence felt. Just ask Scottish entrepreneur and Dubai resident David MacDonald, who won the Glasgow Business Award for Entrepreneur of the Year 2023.
The owner and chief executive of Cullen Eco-Friendly Packaging is filled with the urgency to create a renewable solution to mitigate the thousands of tonnes of packaging pollutants. As such, MacDonald has devised a simple alternative to single-use plastic packaging. The versatile Fibre Bottle is a planet-friendly replacement that can be manufactured to any shape, and fit various packaging needs in industries as diverse as horticulture, medicine and fast-moving consumer goods.
“When you consider 500 billion bottles being used annually, my mission is to simply replace single-use plastic by creating the world’s first paper bottle,” MacDonald tells The National. In the past 18 months, the Fibre Bottle has replaced 1.5 billion plastic products in 35 countries, including being used by the NHS in the UK, and is expected to be available in the UAE from this month, to coincide with Cop28.
Made using custom-built machines from moulded pulp packaging scavenged from the recycled by-products of Cullen’s corrugate packaging business through a closed-loop recycling system, these bespoke bottles can hold dry goods such as spices, vitamins and household cleaning products.
At the end of its life cycle, which is about six months, the compostable and biodegradable product will simply return to nature causing no damage to the planet.
MacDonald believes companies such as his shoulder the responsibility that every product bought off the shelves has its environmental footprint created at various stages. “If we can assess right at the packaging stage that the product offers minimal environmental damage, we are already victorious in our attempt to save our planet,” he says. Organic living is a deep-rooted philosophy and a dialogue of choices that consumers consciously need to make, he adds.
He strongly advocates a “flexible approach to life, which means choose organic, keep challenging your mind, shop, gift and celebrate sustainably and, most importantly, adjust your mindset to be productive and have fun by adopting the ‘less is more’ attitude.
“The challenge we face together is that plastic as a product is not the problem; it is how we use it. If you do not buy it, the only option is to change how we sell it.”
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Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Jawab Iteiqal
Director: Mohamed Sammy
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Ayad Nasaar, Mohamed Adel and Sabry Fawaz
2 stars
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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