How It All Began

In September 2021, a growing concern over plastic bottle waste at the University of Sharjah sparked a powerful movement. With large volumes of bottled water consumed daily across vending machines, cafeterias, and campus events, discarded bottles became a frequent sight in lecture halls, libraries, and dormitories.
Motivated by this pressing issue, medical student Yazan Mazen Yaser took the first step by launching a campus-wide plastic bottle recycling initiative at the College of Medicine. What started as a simple idea to reduce waste has grown into a proudly ongoing campaign for environmental responsibility.

Inspired by a Greener Vision

The initiative was built on a vision to turn everyday habits into meaningful environmental action. Driven by students and supported by faculty, the project reflects the University of Sharjah's deep commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
Students and staff collect plastic bottles from campus activities, classrooms, libraries, and dormitories. Leftover water in these bottles doesn’t go to waste either—it’s reused to water the college’s plants and green spaces.
All collected bottles are delivered to local recycling partners, including DGrade and Bee’ah, ensuring responsible disposal and circular resource use.

Reaching Beyond Campus

In June 2024, the project expanded its reach by collaborating with Al Dhaid Sports Club. The event brought together youth from the broader community to learn about recycling, sustainability, and the power of collective action. This milestone marked a new phase of outreach—taking campus values into the wider world.

Impact & Progress

Our Environmental Impact
Since its inception, the initiative has shown measurable outcomes. The table below highlights our achievements in plastic recovery and water conservation:

Academic Year	Plastic Bottles Collected (kg)	Water Saved (L)
2022*	200	400
2023	311	156
2024	301	206
2025**	120	—

*Data includes collections from September 2021 to December 2022
**Data available until March 2025

What's Next?

The University of Sharjah continues to lead by example, inspiring other colleges and institutions to adopt similar sustainability practices. This initiative is a testament to how grassroots action—led by students—can drive lasting change, both on campus and beyond.

Join us. Recycle with purpose. Leave a legacy of impact.