DEWA employees recycled 221,900 aluminium cans to manufacture 11,600 T-shirts

Employees at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) recycled 221,900 aluminium cans and plastic bottles from October last year through the end of April 2023, which were passed over to a local manufacturing firm and utilised to make around 11,600 T-shirts and other items. The use of recycled aluminium is also expected to increase in the following years since it aids in decarbonising the industrial value chain.

"Placing great importance on environmental sustainability across all (our) projects in line with (our) vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Protecting the environment is a top priority for Dewa, which aims, during the Year of Sustainability, to increase awareness among employees and customers on the need to care for the environment, preserve natural resources, and adopt sustainable practices at home and in the workplace," said DEWA.

Aluminium beverage cans have been at the forefront of realising the metal's full recycling potential all over the globe. As per AL Circle's Outlook report, the global use of recycled aluminium grew from 26 million tonnes in 2021 to 27.1 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, consumption is predicted to exceed 28 million tonnes.

DEWA has installed smart recycling devices in several of its facilities. DEWA's Smart Office app for workers is used to run this equipment. The gadget scans the QR code on the smart app, and the employee earns points for each recycling activity, which are then put into a raffle draw for important monthly rewards.

The initiative also aligns with Dewa's circular economy strategy and Dubai's Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041, which seeks to encourage waste management and recycling innovation, as well as waste conversion to energy, while providing practical solutions to environmental challenges.