Dubai Can, the citywide sustainability movement launched on 15 February 2022 has seen a reduction in the usage of an equivalent of more than 3.5 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles.
Launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the movement has achieved this significant progress measured by water consumed from Dubai Can water fountains installed throughout the city.
During the last six months, 46 fountains have been installed in various locations across the city, including public parks, beaches, and tourist attractions, with the help of the initiative’s stakeholders, sponsors, and partners. The fountains are now in various Dubai neighborhoods, including Kite Beach, Dubai Marina, JLT, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Harbour, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Festival City, Khawaneej, and others.
Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director – Tourism Development & Investments Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “While encouraging residents and visitors to commit to a paradigm shift in their lifestyles, this initiative has a larger goal: creating a city that is the world’s most visited and the best place to live and work in, as envisaged by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
The Dubai Can initiative aims to meet the pledge of installing more than 50 fountains across the city by December 2022. The initiative’s efforts feed into Dubai’s commitment to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing the city’s reputation as a global liveability hub, and ensuring that people across the city have the opportunity to ‘refill for life’.
Strong stakeholder support
Over the last six months, the Dubai Can initiative has been supported by over 750 stakeholders, sponsors, and partners from both the government and private sector, including Accor, Adventure HQ, Al Serkal, Dell Technologies, Atlantis, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai International Financial Centre, Dollar Car Rental, Dubai Islamic Bank, DMCC, Dubai Holding, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Municipality, Dubai World Trade Centre, Electrolux, Emirates NBD, Emaar, Etisalat, Goumbook, Gulf Marketing Group, Grundfos, Huawei, Majid Al Futtaim, Merex Investment, Nakheel, Pepsico, PWC, Radisson, Roads & Transport Authority, Shamal, Talabat; and media partner Arabian Radio Network.Â
