Two UAE-based ladies are wearing garbage for 30 days. Here's why

Have you spotted them yet?

By Anita Iyer

Published: Thu 12 Apr 2018, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 13 Apr 2018, 5:00 PM

You probably don't think twice before using that plastic bag to pack your fruits at the supermarket, or throwing garbage bags down your apartment garbage shaft each day. We tend to take the waste for granted and hardly give a thought to our growing trash culture.
To drive home the awareness, two UAE-based women have been wearing clothes stuffed with garbage they use every day. They will do so for a month. Their campaign started on Earth Hour (March 24) and will continue till Earth Day on April 22.
You can spot Marita Peters and Mariska Nell on the Dubai streets wearing their garbage suits, till they go to sleep.
When we met the duo, we noticed that while Mariska's dress was overflowing with trash, Marita was carrying only a few pieces. Why? She explains: "I am the conscious one, living a more sustainable life trying to refuse, reduce and reuse to minimise the amount of trash. I have been carrying reusable items like cutlery, cups etc. and packing all my groceries, fresh produces with zero packaging."
On the other hand, Mariska is carrying around the amount of trash an average person creates in a day: 2-3 kg! By now, she is heavier by 35 kilos and also carrying a trolley along. Marita on the other hand is carrying less than 2 kgs of trash.
On Day 18, Mariska posted on Instagram that their look has been creating a wave of curiosity among the residents. "We stopped traffic, had the security guards worried about our trolley and many people walked up to us asking what we were wearing," read the post.
And that is exactly the aim of the campaign: to create conversations. "The moment I explain our cause, they are touched and give me hugs. People want to know how they can reduce the volume of their waste," Mariska points out.
A budding environmentalist, Marita wants to start a guerrilla awareness campaign. "We wanted people to notice us, ask us questions and decide to change one habit." And they are succeeding in getting one nod at a time!

Follow their journey below:

Wow day 17 already done. Some days feel longer than others. The weight is starting to take its toll on me. Still 13 days to go and many more kilograms to collect. Make sure to listen tomorrow to @dubaieye1038fm from 10am to 12pm where @tomurquhart will discuss #recycling and ways to avoid #plastic #wastemenot #wasteshouldnotbewasted #recycledart #mariskanell #WasteNotWantNot #mydubai #dubai @worldartdubai @fairy.phi @marita_peters
A post shared by Design By Mariska (@designbymariska) on Apr 9, 2018 at 12:59pm PDT

Day 12 completed. Still feels a bit strange to carry all this waste with me, but it is spreading an inspirational message and I am so thankful for every single person that has been motivating, thanking and just all the people who have been hanging out with me while dressed in the trash. Today I had such a funny experience at the physio. Their lift is very tiny and to fit my @gowagonuae and my suit in the lift was no easy task. Thanks to the wonderful team at @orthosportsdubai for making sure I fit and for taking such great care of me and my shoulders. #wastemenot #SaveThePlanet #Wastenotwantnot #Sustainability #onebottleatatime #climatechange #TrashMe #RobGreenfield #WasteShouldNotbeWasted #EarthHourtoEarthDay #30DayChallenge #MamaEarth #Environment #WasteMeNotUAE #UAEwaste #environmentallyfriendly #planetfriendly #wastefree #growyourown #savewater #LonelyWhale #TrashLadies #recyclewoman #DubaiTrashWomen #Wasteful #positivechanges #The5Rs #AverageWasteperperson #Trashsuit #SuitofTrash
A post shared by Design By Mariska (@designbymariska) on Apr 4, 2018 at 1:22pm PDT

Day 14 ~ April 6. My darling Lai got married under a fig tree to her best friend and true love. With a sustainability focus and funding well fixes with #surgeforwater in lieu of wedding presents, this is a union based on a solid foundation of love for people and planet. I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing humans. #ljwedding #wastemenot #wastenotwantnot #mamaearth #crazybirds
A post shared by marita_peters (@marita_peters) on Apr 10, 2018 at 10:40am PDT

Day 17 ~ Long day in the suit! Had some great reactions at Lulu and enjoyed good conversations with people who were curious about my getup. Did the school run at #safabritishschool and caused a stir. Spent a pleasent evening working from Shakespeare's then ventured into #spinneys. Whew! ?? #wastemenot #wastenotwantnot #mamaearth #crazybirds
A post shared by marita_peters (@marita_peters) on Apr 10, 2018 at 11:34am PDT