The Dubai Can initiative has been launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubia and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
The initiative aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles and will encourage residents and citizens to use refillable bottles and drink water through the water dispensers set up around the city.
Additionally, by adding water filters at homes, schools and offices, the requirement for plastic bottles will also reduce.
Reducing plastic waste will help create a more sustainable future as well will preserve marine life, with plastic killing around 1.1 million marine animals.
A resident typically tends to use 450 plastic bottles a year which leads to over 4 billion plastic bottles used in the UAE, every year.
As mentioned by Emirates Nature WWF1, 94kg of plastic is used every year by a person, with most of the plastic comprising of single-use bottles.
The initiative also aims at reaching the UAE’s UN Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative.
There are currently 30 water stations in Dubai at malls, beaches, parks and major attractions.
The decision is also in line with The Executive Council of Dubai adding a tariff of 25fils on single-use plastic bags with a complete ban in 2 years.
