The eight-year-old Indian-origin student in the United Arab Emirates has collected nearly 15,000 kg of paper waste in the Gulf emirate as part of the Emirates Environmental Group's nationwide recycling campaign.

Nia Tony has been honored for her efforts in keeping the environment clean by collecting the paper waste, the Khaleej Times reported.

"I was campaigning around my area to collect paper so that it can be recycled. Every week, I would go out to collect newspapers, magazines, and other paper that people were throwing away or didn't want to keep," she said.

"I think it's important for children, like myself, to start recycling and spreading awareness about the environment from an early age, so we can acquire the habit of living green as we get older," she added.

She was honored on Monday during the 22nd edition of the Emirates Recycling Awards in Dubai.

Tony won the paper section in the individual category for her efforts in collecting a total of 14,914 kg of paper waste, the report said.

The eco-friendly drive had three categories - academic institutions, corporations, and individuals/families - and the materials that were gathered include plastic, paper, glass, cans, mobiles, among other items.

Through this United Arab Emirates (UAE)-wide campaign, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) was able to reduce projected carbon emissions by at least 73,393 metric tonnes, it said.

By Sowmya Sangam