#WorldOceansDay: Dubai Can movement leads to a significant drop in plastic bottle usage

Dubai: On the occasion of World Oceans Day on 8 June, ‘Dubai Can’, a citywide sustainability movement launched to inspire people to make a difference, has announced that the initiative has resulted in a reduction in usage of more than one million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles with the help of residents, visitors, communities and businesses.

A campaign launched by Dubai’s Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ‘Dubai Can’ encourages simple changes such as using refillable water bottles and public water stations and installing water filters in homes, offices and schools, which results in the reduction of single-use plastic water bottles.

In the 100 days since its launch in February 2022, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and partners, ‘Dubai Can’ has resulted in a reduction in usage of an equivalent of 1,077,474 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles, with over 538,737 litres of water being consumed by Dubai’s residents and visitors from drinking water stations installed across the city as part of the initiative.   

Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director – Tourism Development & Investments, and Vice Chairman of Dubai Sustainable Tourism at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “World Oceans Day is a day to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean and develop a worldwide citizens movement for the protection of oceans across the globe. Single-use plastic pollution is one of the biggest pollutants of oceans and we need to act now to find solutions to such environmental challenges.” Dubai Can plastic bottle

Lootah continued, “The success of the ‘Dubai Can’ initiative further contributes to enhancing Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable destination and bolsters our endeavour to become the best city in the world to live in, work and visit. World Oceans Day is an important milestone in the year as we take stock of the achievements of the city’s residents and visitors and recommit to Dubai’s sustainability goals. We will continue to encourage more residents and visitors to the city to embrace the initiative and ‘refill for life’.”

With 40 water fountains currently installed at popular destinations, attractions and public parks, ‘Dubai Can’ is on track to meet the campaign pledge of installing 50 fountains across the city by December 2022, as part of Dubai’s commitment to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing the city’s reputation as a global liveability hub.
Dubai Can plastic bottle