Islamic Community Center Of Potomac Combines Faith With Environmental Sustainability

POTOMAC, MD — The Islamic Community Center of Potomac’s Green Team implemented a recycling initiative during Ramadan among its members that prevented thousands of pounds of plastics from ending up in local landfills and waterways.

During the holy month of Ramadan, the center's Green Team promoted the "Ramadan Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" initiative by pushing to eliminate the purchase of single-use plastic bottles and switching to compostable plates, cups and utensils for its community iftars.

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished," ICCP Green Team Co-Chair Ayesha Enver said. "Our community has shown that we can come together and make a meaningful difference in the world. It's inspiring to see how many people have embraced this initiative."

The ICCP's "Ramadan Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" initiative turned out to be a positive experience for many in the community, promoting sustainability and bringing people together in the spirit of Ramadan, according to the Green Team.

Members enjoyed sharing evening meals during Ramadan while knowing that they were making a positive impact on the environment. At the end of last week, members of the ICCP and Muslims around the world celebrated Eid Al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

"We know that plastic waste is a huge problem for the environment, and we wanted to do our part to help solve it," Green Team Co-Chair Atiq Khan said. "By switching to compostable materials, we're able to reduce our environmental impact and create a more sustainable future."

The Green Team estimates the initiative saved about 2,000 plastic bottles and prevented more than 3,000 pounds of compostable material from ending up in landfills during Ramadan. Over the past year, the initiative saved a total of about 8,000 pounds of organic waste from going to landfills, according to the Green Team.

Single-use plastics are goods that are made primarily from petrochemicals and are meant to be disposed of right after use. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and service ware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws and bags.

These single-use plastics are the largest category of plastics found in landfills and among the most challenging to recycle. Plastic production also accounts for more than 3 percent of total U.S. energy consumption and uses roughly the same amount of oil around the world as the aviation industry, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Along with its Green Team's focus on sustainable practices, the Islamic Community Center of Potomac, located on River Road, helps its underprivileged neighbors in Maryland and across the D.C. area through its Hunger Van, Meals with Our Neighbors and Ar-Rashidun.

The ICCP's Green Team's efforts, according to its leaders, are another testament to the power of collective action toward a common goal.

"I think it's amazing that we're able to combine our faith with sustainability," ICCP member Saleela Salahuddin said. "It's important for us to take care of the planet, and this initiative shows that we can do that while still honoring our traditions."

The ICCP's Green Team hopes the initiative will inspire others to make sustainable choices in their own lives. "We're just one community, but we hope that our actions will encourage others to think about the impact they're having on the environment," said Yassine Belkhodja, another co-chair of the Green Team.