The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD) has set a target to collect 20 million single-use plastic bottles for recycling by the end of 2023.
The initiative aims to reach its goals through the 70 Reverse Vending Machines where used plastic bottles and aluminium cans can be recycled in exchange for rewards, and 26 Smart Bins that tell people about the items recycled and the amount of carbon emissions are reduced.
Areas with the highest consumption of plastic bottles are the Corniche, Abu Dhabi Airport, sports venues, schools and at malls.
Through the initiative, EAD aspires to reach targets of zero plastic, zero waste, zero emissions and zero harm to biodiversity.
Since the ban on single-use plastic bags was announced in Abu Dhabi in 2022, over 172 million plastic bags have been reduced.