Sharjah has launched a new sustainability campaign encouraging residents to swap single-use products for reusable alternatives as part of its efforts to create a cleaner and greener emirate.

Called ‘Sharjah Deserves the Best’, the initiative will run until December 31 to help individuals, families and businesses adopt environmentally friendly habits in their everyday lives.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is it all about?

The campaign focuses on reducing waste by encouraging people to replace disposable items with reusable alternatives.

It is part of Sharjah’s wider sustainability strategy and supports the UAE’s environmental goals by promoting responsible consumption and protecting natural resources.

How can residents help?

The campaign encourages simple everyday actions such as:

• Carrying reusable shopping bags.
• Using refillable water bottles.
• Choosing reusable coffee cups.
• Avoiding disposable cutlery and straws.
• Using reusable food containers instead of single-use packaging.
• Reducing unnecessary waste at home and work.

The idea is that small lifestyle changes, when adopted by many people, can have a significant environmental impact.

How will the campaign reach people?

Throughout the year, residents can expect to see:

• Awareness campaigns on TV, radio and social media.
• Educational programmes in schools and communities.
• Interactive exhibitions and workshops.
• Community events promoting sustainable living.
• Distribution of reusable shopping bags at shopping centres.

The campaign is designed to engage people of all ages and make sustainable choices easier to understand and adopt.

Why is Sharjah focusing on single-use products?

Disposable products are one of the biggest contributors to household waste and environmental pollution.

Replacing them with reusable alternatives can help:

• Reduce landfill waste.
• Cut plastic pollution.
• Conserve natural resources.
• Lower carbon emissions linked to manufacturing disposable products.
• Encourage more sustainable consumption habits.

Across the UAE, authorities have introduced measures to phase out many disposable products while encouraging businesses and consumers to adopt more sustainable alternatives.

Sharjah’s initiative complements these efforts by focusing on public awareness and long-term behavioural change.

The campaign highlights that sustainability doesn’t always require major lifestyle changes. Simple actions, such as bringing your own shopping bag or reusable water bottle, can collectively reduce waste and help protect the environment.

Paying for parking in Dubai just became easier.

Motorists using the new Harbour West Car Park at Dubai Harbour can now pay parking charges directly through their Salik account, eliminating the need for paper tickets, cash or payment machines.

The new service, launched through a partnership between Salik and Shamal in collaboration with Parkonic, came into effect on July 13.

Here’s what drivers need to know.

How does the new Salik parking system work?

The system uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify your vehicle when you enter and exit the car park.

Instead of taking a ticket or paying before leaving, the parking fee is automatically charged to your linked Salik account.

The process is completely contactless and requires no manual payment.

Where can you use it?

The service is currently available at the new Harbour West Car Park in Dubai Harbour.

The nine-storey facility offers:

• 845 parking spaces
• Rooftop parking
• Easy access to Dubai Harbour attractions

Who will benefit?

The car park is expected to serve visitors travelling to:

• Dubai Harbour
• Dubai Marina
• Marina Walk
• Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Internet City

The location is designed to accommodate both residents and tourists visiting one of Dubai’s busiest waterfront districts.

What are the benefits for drivers?

Using Salik for parking offers several advantages:

• No paper parking tickets.
• No cash payments.
• No waiting at payment machines.
• Faster entry and exit.
• Automatic payment through your Salik account.
• A smoother parking experience.

The system also helps reduce queues and improves traffic flow within the parking facility.

Is Salik becoming more than a toll system?

Yes.

While Salik is best known for collecting road tolls across Dubai, the company is gradually expanding into a broader digital mobility platform.

The addition of parking payments is part of Salik’s strategy to offer integrated transport and payment services beyond toll gates.

The partnership supports Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s smartest cities by making everyday transport services more seamless and digital.

For drivers, it means fewer payment steps, quicker exits from parking facilities and a more convenient experience, whether commuting or visiting popular destinations around Dubai Harbour.

The Palm Monorail has officially resumed operations after a six-month maintenance closure, once again providing residents and tourists with a quick and convenient way to travel across Palm Jumeirah.

The operator announced the reopening on social media, confirming that services are back on track following planned maintenance work that began in January.

The reopening restores an important transport link connecting some of Dubai’s most popular attractions, hotels and residential communities.

Route and stations

The elevated 5.5-kilometre monorail runs from Gateway Station at the entrance of Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis Aquaventure, with stops at several key destinations along the way.

Stations include:

• Gateway Station
• Palm Jumeirah Mall
• Al Ittihad Park
• Golden Mile Galleria
• Atlantis Aquaventure

The journey provides easy access to shopping centres, beachfront resorts, entertainment venues and residential areas across the island.

Journey time

A complete trip from Gateway Station to Atlantis Aquaventure takes approximately nine minutes.

Travel time between individual stations is around three minutes, making it one of the fastest ways to get around Palm Jumeirah.

Ticket prices

Passengers can choose from several ticket options.

Current fares include:

• Single journey: Dh10
• Return ticket: Dh15

Family packages and unlimited travel passes are also available.

Tickets can be purchased online or through the Palm Monorail’s official booking channels.

Operating hours

The Palm Monorail operates daily with trains running every 15 minutes.

From Gateway Station:

• First train: 9am
• Last train: 9am

From Atlantis Aquaventure:

• First train: 9:15am
• Last train: 10am

With affordable fares, frequent departures and direct access to major attractions, the Palm Monorail service is expected to ease travel across one of Dubai’s most visited destinations.