One year of Dubai Can initiative highlights

Dubai Can, a city-wide sustainability movement launched last year, has reduced the use of an equivalent of more than 7 million 500-ml single-use plastic water bottles in 12 months. The initiative sees participation from homes, offices, hotels and schools, with the installation of 50 stations that give out free water in different locations.

Dubai Can has placed water stations in public parks, beaches, and popular tourist destinations, with the help of its partners and sponsors. These include Kite Beach, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai. The coolers were recently added in four additional locations: Hatta, Dubai Sports City, Port Rashid, and Dubai Internet City.

The water stations throughout the city adhere to strict hygiene standards and provide clean and safe drinking water that is tested according to Dewa, GCC, and World Health Organisation standards. Nearly 1,000 stakeholders and sponsors from both the government and private sector have been credited with the success of Dubai Can over the past year. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and support have been vital in achieving the initiative’s goal of reducing single-use plastic water bottle consumption and promoting the use of reusable alternatives.

Tatiana Rahal, Managing Director at talabat UAE, said, “As we hit the one-year mark of talabat UAE becoming Dubai Can’s only founding partner, we are incredibly grateful for the Dubai government’s efforts to provide the community, including all delivery riders, with access to free drinking water across the city. One of our core values at talabat is to be central drivers of change and innovation and we believe that sustainability is a critical force for positive impact.”

She added, “Dubai Can goes beyond reducing single-use plastic bottles; it offers a citywide solution and enables people to adopt environmentally friendly habits. With COP 28 taking place in the UAE this year, the initiative is a reflection of the leadership's vision to encourage the adoption of sustainable ways of living to protect the environment and reduce the impact of climate change.”

Tim Cordon, COO, Middle East and Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, stated, “Radisson Hotel Group believes in a thriving, sustainable, and responsible business that supports our people, communities, and the planet with ethical business procedures, carbon reduction, sustainability practices, and employability programs to build better futures. Being part of the Dubai Can citywide sustainability movement is self-evident for us since we, as a company, already have a strong, responsible business heritage and sustainability program in place, which is built around three Pillars: Think People, Think Community, and Think Planet.”