UAE: Residents can win rewards by recycling plastic bottles, aluminium cans

In a major recycling initiative, local authorities have launched an incentive-based scheme where community members will win rewards for depositing used plastic bottles at reverse vending machines (RVM) placed at Adnoc stations and major retailers.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Adnoc Distribution have unveiled a state-of-the-art RVM initiative. The innovative recycling units will be installed across the Adnoc Distribution retail station network by the end of next month. Community members can deposit used plastic bottles and aluminium cans into RVMs. Each machine automatically updates people on the number of RVM deposits completed, allowing them to track their recycling efforts, and win attractive incentives.

“The incentives are dependent on the retailer. For Adnoc Distribution stations, reward points can be redeemed across Adnoc’s retail stations themselves,” EAD said in a statement to Khaleej Times.

Additionally, the EAD has been working with Veolia, a waste and water management firm, through its Recapp initiative to deploy RVMs in prime locations including malls, academic institutions, Corniche and other key destinations. The initiative comes under the umbrella of EAD’s ‘Mission to Zero’ outreach campaign that aspires to zero plastic, zero waste, zero emissions and zero harm to biodiversity.

“EAD and Veolia, through the Recapp initiative, are launching RVMs in high footfall areas in Abu Dhabi. The rewards are also points that can be redeemed as points in many retail outlets including Carrefour. There are other incentives-based schemes launched by the private sector and most are based on reward points that can be redeemed,” EAD said.

To get rewarded, people need to download the ‘Go Recapp’ app and register. Once at an RVM, they can scan their bottle or can and deposit it to win incentives. Such a recycling scheme is part of the EAD’s initiative to eliminate single-use plastics consumed in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with major retailers. The EAD through its Single Use Plastic Policy has seen 95 per cent reduction in use of plastic bags. Major retailers that support this policy include Carrefour, LuLu Hypermarket, Abu Dhabi Coops, Choithrams, Spinneys, Waitrose and Spar.

In addition to eliminating single-use plastic bags, the policy targets the recovery of 50 per cent of single-use plastic water bottles consumed in the emirate, which amounts to 7,500 tonnes. This will be achieved by such incentive-based plastic bottles recovery schemes and the installation of smart recovery infrastructure including RVMs, smart bins and other door-to-door collection applications across Abu Dhabi. To support the success of the bottle recovery initiative, EAD has engaged key stakeholders such as large retailers, major attraction sites, real estate developers, among others. Private sector packaging entities have been invited to participate in the project.

Recycling 1m bottles a day

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, noted the bottle recovery initiative aims to dramatically recover single-use plastic bottles that harm the environment.

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