New Aqaba recycling machines give coupon points for conservation efforts

AMMAN — The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan (JREDS) on Saturday installed “ground-breaking” recycling machines for marine litter in Aqaba, to advance hygiene standards on local beaches.

The recycling machines initiative, run in cooperation with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, is part of a project launched at the beginning of 2019 by JREDS and the UNDP, according to Outreach and Advocacy Projects Manager at JREDS Ibtihal Tarawneh.

“The initiative’s ultimate objective is to reduce the adverse impact of waste dumping, especially on the beaches,” Tarawneh told The Jordan Times on Thursday, noting the priority Jordan gives to preserving Aqaba’s marine life, coral reefs and biodiversity.

The Gulf of Aqaba represents the only marine setting in the Kingdom, stretching over 27 kilometres, the manager said. Despite its limited space, she added, it is an attractive tourism location, especially for those who love diving and snorkelling.

“The marine environment of Aqaba is renowned worldwide for its wildlife biodiversity. It hosts 510 species of fish and 350 types of coral reefs, thus garnering considerable interest from around the world,” she said.

The two recycling machines have been placed at Aqaba Marine Park — one of the most visited areas — and on Beach Four, Tarawneh added.

"After confirming that the machines are effective and that citizens utilise them well,   more machines will be placed in different areas in Aqaba," she said, adding that four recycling machines are set to be installed in Amman in February.

The absorptive capacity of each machine is 700-1000 containers of three types: Glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic bottles, the manager said, noting that when people feed the containers into the machine’s bottle slot, it will provide them with points, which allow them to obtain coupon deals at two major hypermarkets in Aqaba, with each 100 points worth JD10.

Tarawneh highlighted that the points are spent through an electronic system, encouraging citizens to preserve the environment.

"We are depending on citizens' efforts and awareness in maintaining and preserving these machines," she added. 

The initiative is supported by the Global Water Challenge Coalition under the Global Water Initiative.