UAE | Environment
Masafi: An example of corporate best practice
Water bottles are used on a daily basis. But, throwing them away may not be the best step. Several companies encourage the recycling of plastic. Masafi takes it a step further.
- By Rabab Khan, Community Journalist
- Published: 22:56 April 18, 2009
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
- Masafi collects water bottles from various recycling points.
Water bottles are used on a daily basis. But, throwing them away may not be the best step. Several companies encourage the recycling of plastic. Masafi takes it a step further.
Masafi, one of the leading water brands in the UAE, announced the 'Corporate Recycling Initiative' in October, 2008. Their purpose was to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bottles.
The project is being lead by Natascha Edelmann, head of marketing at Masafi. Over 200 people have been employed to collect plastic bottles from companies in the UAE. Companies, however, need to sign up for this initiative.
Other than focusing on these organisations, Masafi has installed special recycling points at education institutes in the country. Bottles are collected from these places regularly.
These plastic bottles are then sent to Fujairah to be recycled. The end-product is used for non-food plastic applications, such as toys.
Edelmann said: "The company has already collected approximately 300 metric tonnes (300,000 kilograms) of plastic for recycling purposes. The total plastic collected in March 2009 was over 2,500 kilograms."
The plastic that the company collects is sold to a local recycling company.
Edelmann said: "This covers the cost of the customised recycling centres, the manpower that is hired for collection, the running and maintenance of the [pick-up] vehicles, as well as the managing, designing and logistical elements of the [recycling] service."
The entire project is just a small part of Masafi's Carbon Action Plan, which aims to reduce its carbon footprint in the UAE.
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
