‘Dubai Can’ initiative cuts plastic bottle usage by one mln, marking World Oceans Day

‘Dubai Can’ initiative cuts plastic bottle usage by one mln, marking World Oceans Day

The ‘Dubai Can’ initiative - an ambitious recycling drive in the emirate – has resulted in a reduction in usage of more than one million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles, authorities have announced.

The result –announced as the globe marks World Oceans Day – comes 100 days after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced the campaign which encourages people to carry refillable water bottles, use free public water fountains across the city and cut down on plastic waste.

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Authorities said at the time they wanted to create a “cultural shift” in the mindset of residents.

The ‘Dubai Can’ initiative has resulted in a reduction in usage of an equivalent of 1.077 million single-use plastic water bottles, with over 538,737 liters of water being consumed by Dubai’s residents and visitors from Dubai Can water fountains across the city.

There are already dozens of water fountains dotted at popular destinations, attractions, and public parks across the emirate and ‘Dubai Can’ is on track to meet the campaign pledge of installing 50 fountains across the city by December 2022.

Authorities said the water from Dubai Can fountains is filtered, desalinated water,