“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing, because you can only do little.” Sydney Smith

Many of us have been getting in the habit of using the recycling bins around the office. Our IT department, however, has taken this initiative even further. Prompted by our very own Business Systems Analyst, Ali Zainal, the team has been collecting bottle caps for recycling, in order to help buy wheelchairs for persons with disabilities in Bahrain.

The bottle caps are donated towards an initiative that was launched in 2011 by the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled. The association has been collecting plastic bottles, caps and jars, in addition to other recyclables, under the slogan ‘don’t throw it away…it can be used in some other way’. All proceeds are then used to purchase customised wheelchairs and other equipment for children with disabilities. With customised wheelchairs costing more than regular ones, the association only manages to buy a customised wheelchair after collecting around 12 to 15 tonnes of plastic.

Taking personal accountability and realising that the smallest actions can still make a difference, Ali encouraged employees to start donating their bottle caps towards the cause. To begin contributing towards funding costs for customised wheelchairs for children, you can drop off your plastic bottle caps with Ali Zainal on the 8^th floor of the BMMI Tower in Seef. You can also deposit all kinds of recyclable plastic bottles in the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled’s recycling bin, located in flat 1, building 637, road 3625, block 336, Adliya (opposite the Alumni Club).

Start today and get into the habit of recycling for a great cause!