‘Dubai Can’: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launches a citywide sustainability initiative

Initiative by the Crown Prince aims to reduce need for single-use plastic bottles; More than 30 drinking water stations to be installed across Dubai.


Filed under
Waste Management
 
February 16 2022
 
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has launched ‘Dubai Can’ – an ambitious sustainability initiative to empower communities to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. The new initiative is part of the leadership’s strategic plan to make Dubai a leading sustainable destination. 

Residents and visitors can now refill their bottles with safe drinking water at more than 30 drinking water stations that will be located in key areas across Dubai. The initiative aims to encourage communities to  ‘refill for life’, with prime public locations including beaches, parks, malls and major attractions, as per the statement.   

The initiative encourages people to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles in their daily lives. It follows Dubai’s move to charge a fee for the use of single-use plastic bags and aims to raise awareness about sustainability issues.   

The ‘Dubai Can’ initiative, which will be implemented by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, aims to encourage UAE residents to turn the tide on plastic and seeks to motivate communities across the city to undertake simple changes such as using refillable water bottles and public water stations and installing water filters in their homes, offices and schools. 

H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said their aim is to inspire current and future generations to play their part in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. “The initiative seeks to encourage citizens, residents and visitors to be active players in building a more sustainable future, and to contribute to saving wildlife and the marine environment. We hope ‘Dubai Can’ will set in motion a new environmental movement across our city and the wider UAE, transforming the mindsets of people so that we can achieve positive change for a more sustainable future.”

All water stations across the city will provide filtered water that is safe to drink and similar to that found in plastic bottles, said the authorities. The water stations will adhere to municipal, healthcare and federal regulations. This includes providing clean and safe drinking water, which will be tested in accordance with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), GCC and World Health Organization (WHO) standards.