Together with key partners, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has set an ambitious goal which is to collect 20 million single-use plastic bottles annually for effective recycling. They hope to achieve this goal through an organized approach that combines advanced technology and strategic placement.
EAD intends to place 26 Smart Bins and 70 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) throughout Abu Dhabi in order to achieve this goal. These will be set up in well-high-traffic locations like the Corniche, the Abu Dhabi Airport, sporting arenas, shopping centers, and educational institutions.
This creative bottle return project is an aspect of EAD’s Mission to Zero campaign, which aims to end the use of plastic, cut down on waste, reduce emissions, and protect biodiversity. The Mission to Zero campaign, introduced last year as a part of the Single-Use Plastic Policy, reflects a strong dedication to sustainability.
In a show of commitment, EAD organized a launch ceremony hosted by the Al Dar Group. Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, addressed the ceremony, attended by key players who share the goal of this project.
Abu Dhabi’s Single-Use Plastic Policy
Her Excellency Al Dhaheri said during the ceremony that these plastics negatively affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems over time. She emphasized how these plastics endangered many animals and took a long time, frequently hundreds of years, to degrade. She noted the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy, introduced in 2020, represents a major milestone as the first policy of its kind in the area.
In addition, EAD announced a partnership with Veolia by RECAPP and a partnership with ADNOC Distribution on World Environment Day earlier this year in order to deploy RVMs at service stations.
After the ban went into effect on 1 June 2022, EAD recently disclosed that they were able to keep more than 172 million single-use plastic shopping bags out of the environment.
Within a year, shops reported a huge drop in the use of plastic bags by 90–95%, saving 450,000 single-use plastic bags daily. Prior to the restriction, people had used 100 bags at cash registers at merchants; today, only five bags, all of which are reusable, are being used by customers.
The Mission to Zero campaign included a visually appealing outdoor advertising campaign on buses, bridges, and lampposts, as well as a number of public engagements, including seminars, an in-depth SMS campaign in four languages, and an extensive presence on social media.
Takeaways
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) goal of recycling 20 million single-use plastic bottles each year shows the intersection of technology innovation, environmental conscience, and social responsibility. This attempt demonstrates the possibility of green tech solutions in combating plastic pollution and emphasizes the importance of joint efforts in environmental protection. The mission of EAD acts as a beacon of hope, inspiring companies, governments, and individuals to identify and embrace sustainability as a cornerstone of progress.
