Dubai Can Initiative Cuts Single-use Plastic Bottle Usage By Over 7 Million

Dubai Can, the citywide sustainability movement launched in February last year, has successfully reduced the use of an equivalent of more than 7 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles in its first year.

The success of the initiative is reflected in the fact that Dubai Can has been widely adopted in the city, with participation from homes, offices, hotels, schools, besides the installation of 50 water fountains in different locations.

The movement has placed water fountains in strategic places across the city, including public parks, beaches, and popular tourist destinations, with the help of its partners and sponsors.

Working together with talabat, a leading online food delivery service, Dubai Can has expanded its fountain locations and improved awareness.

Fountains were recently added in four additional prominent locations: Hatta, Dubai Sports City, Port Rashid, and Dubai Internet City.

Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of corporate strategy and performance sector at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said the organisation hoped that during this year and beyond, the initiative will continue to encourage residents and tourists to adopt greener practices and lifestyle choices contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goal of consolidating Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three global cities.

“The success of this initiative could not have been possible without the wholehearted support of our valued city stakeholders and partners, as well as the city’s public-private partnerships that significantly contributed to Dubai’s sustainability strategy,” he said.

The Dubai Can initiative has inspired significant change at both the individual and community level over the past year, extending beyond the installation of fountains.

Its objective is to increase awareness of the harmful effects of single-use plastics and promote the use of reusable bottles not only at water fountains but also in homes, hotels, and elsewhere, aiming to change people’s mindsets.