Every June 5, World Environment Day is celebrated. This has been going on since 1972, when the UN initiative was first launched in a bid to engage governments, businesses and people to address pressing environmental concerns.
We've come a long way since then, and matters of sustainability are becoming ever more prevalent. And while we can't have much of an impact without strong governmental policies in place, said policies won't change anything if we don't individually make an effort, either.
Here are 15 products that everyone needs in their life, to make it that little bit more eco-friendly and reduce that all-important carbon footprint.
Reusable bags
This does not have to simply extend to your shopping bags – there are many other ways to work these into your life.
For example, pick up some for produce, often made of cheesecloth, to load up on those fruit and vegetables without the need for endless flimsy plastic sacks. You can also get bulk food bags, for some more heavy-duty grocery shopping. There are even reusable bread bags, so you can rest easy when you head to the bakery for fresh loaves, and don’t forget zip lock or freezer bags made of silicone.
Compostable bags
There are some aspects of life when a reusable bag just won’t work. For instance, when you’re walking your dog and need to clean up after them, this is not something you’ll want to recycle. You can, however, instead opt for a compostable waste bag. Earth Rated sells scented bags made of recycled content, and you can find these for Dh29 (roll of 120 bags) at PetPro.ae.
Taking out the trash is another activity you might want a compostable bag for. Thankfully, these are widely available across supermarkets in the UAE.
Drinkware
It’s a fairly common site nowadays to see people with reusable water bottles and coffee cups, but if that’s not you, then it’s not too late. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties to choose from on the market. If you want to be truly sustainable and health-conscious, avoid any BPA-laden plastic options.
You might want to pick yourself up a reusable straw, too. Stainless steel ones are available all over, from Amazon.ae to Crate & Barrel, and they often come with a straw cleaner as well.
Safety razor
For those who use a razor as part of daily life, consider ditching the plastic-laden disposables and instead opt for a safety razor, which are all the rage these days (even though they were popularised in the 1900s).
There’s a myth that these are more dangerous, when it fact they’re perfectly safe, as there’s a protective device between the edge of the blade and the skin.
They’re typically made of a corrosion-resistant blend of steel, so are durable and sustainable. You can find these fairly easily, with plenty of options on Amazon.ae.
Toothbrush
This is one of the easiest switches you’ll make. As the average person uses about 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime, it’s important to find an eco alternative.
Today, you’ll find bamboo toothbrushes alongside regular, plastic varieties on supermarket shelves across the UAE. Bamboo has been found to be one of the most sustainable alternative materials to plastic, so this is a simple fix.
But it’s not your only option – you can also opt for an electric toothbrush, with reduced waste thanks to their smaller disposable heads. You still have to dispose of the bamboo ones every three months; they can be composted, though.
Feminine hygiene
Let’s consider the facts: the average woman has a period for more than 2,500 days of her life (about seven years); they will also dispose of approximately 11,000 sanitary products in a lifetime, many of which end up in oceans or a landfill, according to figures for the US by Safecosmetics.org. Yet, about 90 per cent of these items are made from plastic, and so they are not biodegradable.
As awareness is raised, however, all that is changing. Now we have more options to keep that time of the month environmentally friendly. From pads and tampons made of environmentally friendly materials to cups and even period and leak-proof underwear, there’s something to suit everyone.
Check out brands such as Modi Bodi (has its own website in the UAE), GingerOrganic (available on kibsons.com) and DivaCup (can be found in leading supermarkets).
Toiletries
Going zero waste in the bathroom is not as difficult as it used to be. You can buy solid shampoo and conditioner bars from brands such as Lush, for example, and you can even ask them for reusable packaging.
With toothpaste, you can switch to natural tablets that come in cardboard packaging, which are available from Shift Eco in the UAE. For deodorants, try creams that come in glass jars or compostable paper packaging (also from Shift Eco).
Swap out plastic cotton buds to swabs made with bamboo, paper or wood, and cotton balls for reusable bamboo cotton or fabric pads. You could even try your hand at making your own face products – there are all sorts of recipes out there on the internet for a variety of skin types.
For more on decreasing plastic use in the bathroom, click here.
Water filter
Chances are, you’ll have a water cooler at home or it’s possible you’re still drinking from 1.5-litre plastic bottles. One way to be far more eco-friendly is by buying a filter, which will reduce contaminants when you’re drinking tap water.
You could opt for a jug, by brands such as Brita, which can be filled up and popped into the fridge. Another option is to get a filter fitted to your tap, so you can enjoy fresh water at all times. For both, you will need to change the filter cartridge every few weeks, depending on your model.
Compostable coffee pods and reusable tea infusers
Are you a coffee addict? Is that Nespresso pod one of the first things you reach for in the morning? Then you’ll be pleased to know you can easily make this activity environmentally friendly by switching to compostable pods. You can find Nespresso-compatible ones online from various brands. In the UAE, Coffee Planet also creates its own range of biodegradable capsules, with Arabica beans from Italy, France, Brazil and Peru.
If you’re more of a tea person, then a loose tea infuser is a must. Teabags are commonly made using plastic, and so are not at all good for the environment, but nowadays you can buy sachets made of biodegradable materials, or simply opt for loose tea that you can strain in an infuser that only needs to be washed and reused.
E-reader or used books
Traditionalists might not like to hear it, but physical books can be a drain on the environment. E-readers are not exactly issue-free, either, as the materials used and manufacturing process aren’t exactly eco-friendly, and neither is the amount of energy it uses, but if you buy one and use it until it dies (that is to say, don’t upgrade when a snazzier one comes out), then it’s much better than buying new books, particularly when you consider that millions of trees are torn down in order to make them (and thousands just end up destroyed or in a landfill, anyway).
If you want to be a real tree-hugger, then buying second-hand or recycled books is the way forward. Even if you just swap with friends, it’s a step in the right direction.
Cleaning products
Regular, brand-name cleaning products are actually terrible for the environment. Many surfactants used biodegrade slowly, or even into more toxic chemicals, which is particularly bad for marine life. Ingredients used can also affect water quality, especially those containing phosphorus or nitrogen.
So one of the best things you can do is buy eco-friendly cleaning products. There are a range of brands available throughout the UAE’s supermarkets, most commonly Ecover, but if you want to go one better, then buy local and check out The Botanist, a home-grown line of plant-based, chemical-free products made with essential oils and packaged in glass bottles.
Even better, you could simply make your own – there are plenty of recipes available on the internet for home-made cleaning solutions.
Sponges, brushes and cloths
Alongside cleaning products are your dishwashing utensils that sit at the kitchen sink. Many of us go through numerous packets of sponges every month, but there are alternatives we can use. The Good Karma Co, for example, sells an eco dish brush set with four types of brushes made from bamboo and plant fibre bristles. These can be used in the kitchen or bathroom, and can simply be disinfected after use.
Cotton cloths and eco-friendly sponges (made of fabric or recycled materials) are also available to buy online.
Also don't forget to pick up planet-friendly dishwashing liquid, which is sold in the supermarkets alongside the chemical-filled stuff.
Glass containers and jars
This might seem like an obvious one, but seeing as our supermarket shelves are loaded with plastic containers, it’s worth mentioning that glass ones are much better for the environment. The former might not be single-use plastic, but it has been proven these products are simply not good for our environment or our health. And that includes those takeaway containers you’ve been refusing to throw away (for good reason).
Glass is a safer option, as it’s non-toxic and heating it won’t caused potentially harmful chemicals to infiltrate your food. It’s also far more durable.
Composter
If you grow your own plants, then it might be time to get a composter. Compost is used to fertilise and improve soil, and is commonly comprised of plant and food waste. Most of us have that in abundance, and so it’s handy to get a device that allows you to turn your vegetable, fish and meat scraps into mulch to breed more life.
One of the most popular ways to do this is via a Bokashi bin, which you can find in the UAE at My Green Chapter. It turns your table scraps into a rich fermentation liquid and base for compost, and the bins are odourless and often small enough to slide under the kitchen sink.
Reusable nappies
Parents might want to think about ditching the disposables and opting instead for reusable nappies (or diapers for the Americans).
Not only are they far better for the planet (an estimated three billion are thrown away in the UK every year, says recycling charity Wrap), but they’re also far easier on the wallet, as the average baby goes through thousands before they’re potty trained, and softer varieties reduce nappy rash.
In the UAE, one of the go-to spots for reusable nappies is Eggs & Soldiers in Dubai’s Time Square Centre, but you can also find them online, on shops such as First Cry.
You can also pick up reusable wipes (the amount of these parents go through outnumbers nappies considerably) and a wet bag to keep soiled nappies in while you’re out of the house.
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Read more:
How often should you wash? The skin, health and environmental benefits of showering less
Earth Day 2021: Seven ways to travel more sustainably
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Long Shot
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan
Four stars
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')
Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20profile
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Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
The%20Crown%20season%205
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EImelda%20Staunton%2C%20Jonathan%20Pryce%2C%20Lesley%20Manville%2C%20Jonny%20Lee%20Miller%2C%20Dominic%20West%2C%20Elizabeth%20Debicki%2C%20Salim%20Daw%20and%20Khalid%20Abdalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWritten%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPeter%20Morgan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%20stars%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Western Clubs Champions League:
- Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
- Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Company%20profile%20
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Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
Race card
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; 5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; 6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
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.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Results
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
