Big Four firm PwC has launched a campaign in support of the Dubai Can program, an Emirate-wide initiative aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastic materials.
Launched by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Can initiative aims to reduce single-use plastic water bottle waste in the Emirate by encouraging individuals to use refillable water bottles.
The initiative is part of a wider sustainability program that includes a range of other steps – from phasing out plastic bags in supermarkets and improvements to waste and water treatment infrastructure, to banning plastic water bottles on campuses and providing all students and school workers with stainless steel refillable bottles.
Committed to play its part, PwC has setup a program that stimulates its staff in Dubai to support Dubai Can. Introducing PwC’s pledge, PwC Middle East’s chief financial officer, Keshav Choudhary, said: “In line with our sustainability strategy, we have launched a campaign in our Dubai office to reduce the use of single use plastics.”
Central to PwC’s plans are free water dispensaries, launched at the same time as the Dubai Can initiative in 30 locations across the city. This is being expanded to 50 in a short time, while the ultimate goal is to reach 1,000 locations to include all Dubai residences in the new refill culture movement.
This has been coupled with further encouragement of individuals using refillable stainless steel water bottles to fully benefit from the free water dispensaries.
PwC partner Khaled Bin Braik said, “At PwC, we are proud to support the Dubain Can initiative. Since 2018, we have been on a journey to eradicate plastic waste across our business. Every employee is provided with a reusable water bottle, and in Dubai alone, we’ve cut the use of 53,000 single use plastic bottles by installing our zip taps in our new premises here in Emaar Square.”
Olga Zolotova, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at PwC, added: “At PwC, we have connected responsibility to create significant and lasting change. Our CSR agenda seeks to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet, and we are delighted to extend our agenda with the Dubai Can campaign.”
The impacts of the Dubai Can scheme are already being seen. Plastic use is decreasing gradually, while people of all ages and backgrounds are making regular use of the refill stations. In a few years, commentators hope the push can see Dubai become a plastic-free city.
Last year, PwC was named the UAE’s top employer by LinkedIn, which examined millions of data points to come to its conclusions. PwC has over 6,000 professionals across the Middle East, with Dubai one of its largest hubs.
Sourced from Consultancy.me