The importance of involving people in proper waste management and recycling through awareness for a sustainable and eco-friendly environment in the Kingdom as well as the world was stressed at a seminar in Riyadh.

The seminar titled “Together toward a Safe Planet” organized by the Ministry of Education as part of the Kingdom’s efforts at promoting a healthy environment, was attended by over 300 students and teachers from 119 intermediate schools in Riyadh. The Japanese Ministry of Environment also collaborated in the seminar.

The discussion at the seminar centered on the difficulties in dealing with large quantities of trash as also shortage of dumping areas to dispose of garbage.

Kanako Aono, a representative of the Japanese Embassy, said: “The world is now full of wastes and therefore it is necessary to use such wastes as resource. Reduce waste by buying long-lasting kitchenware, not plastic disposable plates.”

He said: “Reuse is to use one item repeatedly. Giving unnecessary items to others or selling at recycle shops can help.

Recycle is to use one item as resource and make something new or different.”

The participants at the event said they learned something that they were not aware of before and they promised to contribute to protecting the environment in the future.

Japan is one of the leading countries that promotes eco-friendly policies. Cars, home appliances and houses in Japan are all designed to protect the environment.

Japan is willing to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in this field and this indeed will be another bridge between the two countries besides economy and trade, he said.