OPAZ launches drive to reduce single-use plastic bottles

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, Oct 19

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) started this month an environment-friendly initiative aimed to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles at work places.

This initiative aims to dispose an approximately 3,000 kg of plastic waste annually in the buildings of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones in Muscat and Duqm as a first phase.

Commenting on the initiative, Zakiya bint Mohammed al Balushi from OPAZ, pointed out: “This green initiative was picked from the box dedicated for ‘Share Your Ideas’ Programme, which was introduced by OPAZ to urge employees share their creative ideas. Accordingly, a number of employees presented different outstanding ideas aimed to improve the work environment and adopt various projects, which serve making the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) and the free zones more attractive and environment-friendly.”

“Glass water bottles have been approved as an alternative for the single-use bottles at work places of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and Oman Company for the Development of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Tatweer).

Furthermore, OPAZ intends to promote the culture of minimising the use of plastic bottles and bags on a larger scale to include the free zones and companies operating within all zones during the next phase”, Zakiya al Balushi explained.