DEWA Staff Lead By Example, Recycling Over 7 Tonnes Of Plastic And Aluminium

In a notable environmental achievement, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has made significant strides in promoting recycling among its employees. From October 2022 to December 2023, DEWA staff successfully recycled 499,541 plastic bottles and aluminium cans. This initiative has effectively diverted 7,108 kilograms of waste from landfills, marking a substantial contribution to environmental conservation efforts.

DEWA has introduced smart machines in some of its buildings to facilitate this recycling process. These machines are integrated with DEWA’s Smart Office app, allowing employees to recycle by scanning a QR code on the app. For every recycling operation, employees earn points which can be used to enter a raffle draw for a chance to win valuable monthly prizes. By the end of 2023, 49 employees were honoured for their participation in this initiative.

The recycling efforts by DEWA are in alignment with the UAE Circular Economy Policy and DEWA’s own Circular Economy Strategy. The focus is on optimizing resource use and enhancing social, economic, and environmental values through sustainable practices such as recycling and waste reduction. These initiatives also support the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041, which aims to foster innovation in waste management and recycling, convert waste to energy, and provide solutions to environmental challenges.

To further promote environmental responsibility among its workforce, DEWA organised 13 awareness activities. These activities were designed to underscore the importance of adopting sustainable practices both at home and in the workplace. Key focus areas included enhancing the efficiency of electricity and water consumption, minimizing waste, reducing plastic use, and encouraging the reuse and recycling of plastic bottles and aluminium cans.

Through these comprehensive efforts, DEWA not only contributes to significant environmental conservation but also fosters a culture of sustainability among its employees. The initiative demonstrates how corporate entities can play a crucial role in supporting national strategies aimed at achieving a circular economy and tackling environmental challenges.

With inputs from WAM