The Dubai Can Refill For Life citywide sustainability initiative has made a remarkable contribution towards combating plastic waste by cutting the consumption of over 30 million 500 ml single-use plastic water bottles in three years since its launch. In line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, this landmark project has also dispensed more than 15 million litres of drinking water through 53 refill stations strategically placed across the emirate.
Launched on February 15, 2022 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Can initiative has reshaped how both residents and visitors stay hydrated in an eco-friendly way, fostering awareness of plastic alternatives and sustainability through its core projects, Refill for Life and DUBAI REEF, Dubai Media Office reported.
Commitment to align with UAE’s sustainable development agenda
With the increasing global concern over plastic pollution and its impact on the environment, Dubai is taking proactive steps to address these challenges. Dubai Can is part of the city’s broader commitment to align with the UAE’s sustainable development agenda and directly supports several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life On Land (SDG 15). The Refill for Life initiative is designed to encourage residents and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices by significantly reducing single-use plastic waste and promoting a culture of reuse and recycling among residents and visitors.
Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Guided by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, we are proud of the significant impact that Dubai Can has had in reducing the consumption of single use plastic water bottles and promoting a culture of conscious consumerism, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s goals and driven by the vision to make Dubai the best city to visit, live, and work in.
Reducing carbon footprint
Through this initiative, Dubai has empowered residents and visitors to make environmentally conscious choices, while helping to reduce our carbon footprint. With continued support from our partners and the public, we are committed to continuing this momentum and fostering a shift in behavior that reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable destination.”
Dubai Can is also aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, and DET’s Dubai Sustainable Tourism program.
Stakeholder support
Supported by partners, sponsors and key stakeholders, Dubai Can’s success is driven by the seamless integration of innovation and collaboration. The initiative’s refill stations offer a convenient, eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles by providing free access to fresh, safe drinking water at key locations throughout Dubai. These stations are designed to be user-friendly and adhere to strict hygiene standards, making it easy for residents and visitors to hydrate around the city.
Since its inception, Dubai Can has become a central part of Dubai’s sustainability movement and is poised for further expansion, with plans to increase the number of refill stations across the emirate. This expansion aims to further reduce plastic waste, promote sustainable consumer behaviors, and support Dubai’s ambitious environmental goals.
A number of key partners and stakeholders have contributed to the success of Dubai Can, including talabat, Dubai Municipality, DMCC, and others. These partnerships have been key in expanding the network of refill stations and engaging the public in the mission of reducing plastic waste.
Encouraging sustainable practices
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency, Dubai Municipality, said: “Since the launch of the Dubai Can initiative, Dubai Municipality has been committed to supporting its objectives, recognizing the importance of encouraging sustainable practices, optimizing the consumption of natural resources, and establishing an environmentally and health-conscious system that minimises environmental impact, promotes sustainability, and enhances quality of life. The Municipality has supported the initiative by providing several free water refill stations at Dubai Municipality facilities, parks and public beaches, which contributed to providing drinking water to residents and visitors and reducing the use of plastic water bottles.”
Simonida Subotic, vice president and managing director at talabat UAE, added: “As we celebrate Dubai Can’s three-year milestone, we reflect on the incredible impact this initiative has had on our community. As a tech company, we are committed to driving innovation that creates shared value and inspires lasting positive change. In the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Community in 2025, we continue to support sustainability and collective action, empowering people to make a difference in their city every day.”
Feryal Ahmadi, chief operating officer, DMCC said: “Sustainability is at the core of DMCC’s mission to create a thriving, modern and responsible community. Through the Dubai Can-Refill for Life initiative, we have witnessed first-hand the positive impact of the refill stations in JLT, which have helped eliminate almost two million single-use plastic water bottles in our district since their launch in 2022. As we celebrate the third anniversary of Dubai Can, we are committed to scaling up this initiative with new refill stations in 2025, ensuring our members, residents and visitors continue to embrace sustainable choices and contribute to meaningful environmental impact across our districts.”
Promoting a ‘refill culture’
All Dubai Can water refill stations across Dubai are designed to uphold the highest hygiene standards, fully complying with municipal, healthcare, and federal regulations. These stations provide fresh, safe drinking water, regularly tested to meet Dubai Municipality, GCC, and World Health Organization standards. The water is maintained at a refreshing 10°C, ensuring it remains cool and safe for everyone to enjoy.
In the UAE, the average resident consumes around 450 plastic water bottles per year, contributing to a staggering 4 billion plastic bottles used annually across the country. The Dubai Can initiative continues to encourage both residents and visitors to reduce plastic waste, helping to prevent millions of bottles from ending up in landfills or polluting the oceans.
Additionally, DUBAI REEF, the second major project under Dubai Can, is another major sustainability initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, first announced at COP28 in December 2023. Forming the world’s largest single purpose-built reef development, DUBAI REEF’s deployment phase was launched in November 2024 and will see 20,000 purpose-built reef modules of various sizes deployed in Dubai’s waters. Contributing to global conservation efforts, the project aims to significantly enhance marine biodiversity, safeguard Dubai’s vital coastal and ocean habitats, support fish populations, and increase ecosystem resilience.
