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My love for animals, the environment and health started three years ago and continues to be a big part of my life. My motto is: there's nothing that salt water can't fix, and that's exactly why I'm often found wandering on a beach or kayaking in the Mangroves of Qatar. I have set up two enterprises to protect our pristine environment.
Dina Altarawneh - Qatari, West Asia
2019 Winner | Entrepreneur | Qatari
Living on the peninsula of Qatar, the effect of plastic on marine life is magnified. Our single-use plastic is a serial killer for marine life, as it takes thousands of years to disintegrate. Our zero-waste, bulk grocery store will address the core of the plastic problem and provide a convenient solution for the public. This shop will be the first of its kind in the Middle East to directly address the issue of plastic waste and provide convenient, affordable alternatives to everyone, whilst bringing the community together. Currently, people who try to shop low-waste and plastic-free have to visit four or five different stores. We aim to address these issues by offering an all-in-one grocery shop that sells items in bulk, thereby offering more affordable and sustainable options. Through a community space for workshops, we will start a ripple effect and reach more people. We work with our sister-enterprise Green Mangroves, which seeks to actively engage the community through kayaking trips and clean-up activities, exploring pristine and vulnerable habitats while bridging the gap between daily life actions and what we need to protect. We also aim to work with school awareness programs to raise awareness of plastic pollution.
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NOTE: This content was shared online for the 2019 cycle of the Young Champions of the Earth programme and has not been updated. This listing does not constitute any endorsement by nor status with the UN Environment Programme.
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