Volunteering with Emirates Environmental Group
About Emirates Environmental Group
Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is a Dubai-based non-governmental professional working group founded in 1991. Its co-founder and chairperson is Dr Habiba Al Mar’ashi. EEG works to protect the environment through education, action programmes and community involvement, and it encourages volunteering as a way for residents to look after the country.
It has a long list of programmes. There is environmental education for young people, a community lecture series that has run since 1992, recycling drives such as the Neighbourhood Recycling Project and the Can Collection Campaign, tree planting through “For Our Emirates We Plant”, and corporate and carbon management work. EEG reports being the first environmental NGO in the world accredited with ISO 14001.
The group’s office is a villa on Jumeirah 1, between Dubai Zoo and the Beach Centre.
What volunteers do
The easiest way for most people to volunteer with EEG is its flagship Clean UAE campaign. Each December, volunteers spread out across all seven emirates to collect litter from beaches, deserts and other public spaces. Since 2007, the campaign has mobilised more than 1.14 million volunteers and removed over 1.75 million kg of waste, according to coverage of the 2026 launch. The UAE Cabinet recognised it as a National Community Action Campaign in 2022, and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is its patron.
Participants include government bodies, businesses, schools and universities, diplomatic missions, community groups and families. It is very much a whole-community effort.
Upcoming campaigns
Clean UAE 2026 is the 25th cycle of the campaign, marked as its Silver Jubilee edition. It runs from 5 to 15 December 2026, with one clean-up day in each emirate:
- Dubai: Saturday 5 December
- Sharjah: Monday 7 December
- Fujairah: Wednesday 9 December
- Ajman: Thursday 10 December
- Umm Al Quwain: Saturday 12 December
- Ras Al Khaimah: Monday 14 December
- Abu Dhabi: Tuesday 15 December
Registration is through EEG’s Clean UAE 2026 sign-up form. EEG is also inviting businesses to become campaign partners.
Who can volunteer
Clean UAE is open to individuals, companies, academic institutions and families. Participants under 18 should register under the Family or Academic Institution category rather than as individuals. That makes it a good option for parents who want to bring children along, or for teachers organising a class.
How to get involved
- Pick your emirate. Choose the clean-up day that suits you from the schedule above.
- Choose your category. Individual, Corporate, Academic Institution or Family.
- Complete the form. Fill in the Google Form, which is in English and Arabic.
- Wait for confirmation. EEG will share meeting points and practical details with registered participants.
- Turn up prepared. See our tips below.
Other ways to help
- Recycle with EEG: its collection programmes cover paper, glass, plastic, cans, e-waste, scrap metal, toner and mobile phones.
- Plant trees: look out for EEG’s tree-planting campaigns, including One Root One Communi-Tree.
- Attend a talk: EEG runs panel discussions on topics such as renewables, packaging and water security. Registration is through its website.
- Become a member: membership details are on the EEG website.
- Partner as a company: sponsorship of Clean UAE is open to businesses.
Good to know
December mornings are pleasant, but clean-ups are still outdoor physical work. As general advice, wear closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, bring a refillable water bottle, and follow the organisers’ safety briefing, especially around sharp objects. Gloves and bags are usually handled by organisers, but check your confirmation details.
School and corporate groups should register early, as coordinating larger numbers takes time.
Clean UAE is a good first taste of volunteering if you have never done it before. You do not need special skills, and it is easy to come as a family or with friends. If you enjoy it, EEG’s recycling and tree-planting programmes offer ways to stay involved through the rest of the year.
Living in one emirate does not stop you joining a clean-up in another, as long as you can get to the site. Pick the date that fits your schedule.
Contact and links
- Website: www.eeg-uae.org
- Email: eeg@emirates.net.ae
- Phone: 04 344 8622
- Address: Villa JMR 68, 117A Jumeirah 1, Dubai, P.O. Box 7013
- Clean UAE 2026 form: forms.gle/ZwCpJSTjGd3cyA5s8