Every Can Counts is a leading global awareness programme for drink can recycling. The UAE chapter, which held its first public events during COP28, is the third non-European chapter after Brazil and the USA. The programme already operates in 21 countries, to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle their drink cans wherever they are, with a focus on out-of-home consumption and collection. The campaign runs educational and recreational activations at festivals, beaches and other popular places. 

UAE citizens and residents each on average consume more than 60 aluminium drink cans every year - some 660 million aluminium beverage cans in total annually. Only a third are currently recycled, compared to over 95 per cent in leading recycling countries. More than 440 million aluminium cans currently end up in UAE landfill sites annually. 

The fate of used aluminium beverage cans is often decided by individual consumers’ choices whether to put their used can in a recycling bin. 

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable. Recycling aluminium takes 95 per cent less energy than making new metal, and generates only a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions. The UAE COP28 Presidency and global aluminium industry leaders set a target to reach at least 80 per cent aluminium beverage can recycling by 2030 and near 100 per cent by 2050. Recycling all used aluminium beverage cans globally would save 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. 

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “Infinite recyclability is one of many reasons why aluminium is essential for the development of a more sustainable society. Aluminium is already one of the world’s most recycled materials, but too much of this valuable material is still thrown away. Increasing recycling requires supportive government policies and the development of infrastructure. It also depends on individuals making the right decisions every day about how to dispose of items they no longer need. We are excited about the potential of Every Can Counts to improve aluminium beverage can recycling rates in the UAE.” 

Bartlomiej Wojdylo, Sustainability Director Europe at Canpack said: “For CANPACK, sustainability is a core responsibility. Aluminium beverage cans are the most recycled packaging in the world, and we know from countries like Brazil that it is possible to collect and recycle all cans. We would like to see this fantastic performance replicated in other countries. By supporting Every Can Counts in UAE, we want to inspire consumers to recycle more.” 

Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, Director Sustainability & External Affairs at Crown Holdings, said: “We are excited to see the expansion of Every Can Counts to the UAE, after supporting it in other countries since its launch more than a decade ago. Circularity is a key element of our sustainability and we know we have the best package and material to keep delivering it. It is great to see the industry working all together to keep the cycle going.” 

David Van Heuverswyn, Director Every Can Counts Europe, said: “I am delighted that Every Can Counts has just been launched in the UAE thanks to a new partnership between the aluminium industry and local drink can producers. Our vision of empowering people to recycle their aluminium drink cans wherever they consume them can now spread in a new region. We are fully committed and ready to make a positive change in the UAE.” 

At COP28, Every Can Counts emphasised the event’s theme of ‘Actionism’ by showcasing a large PixelCan art installation created from over 2,000 aluminium drink cans. Displayed at the Sustainability Entrance, the artwork depicted a young woman holding Planet Earth, symbolising the significant impact of simple actions like can recycling on environmental sustainability. 

The programme also deployed recycling ambassadors at COP28 with QR-coded backpacks, actively promoting on-the-spot recycling and highlighting aluminium’s sustainable packaging properties. 

Last year, EGA formed the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition which brings together Crown and Canpack, as well as beverage producers and waste management companies to increase the rate of aluminium recycling in the country. 

EGA has started construction of the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling facility in Al Taweelah. The plant, which will have a capacity of 170 thousand tonnes per year. Construction is expected to take three years.

The volunteers removed about 1,200 kilogrammes of waste washed up from the sea.

Since 2011, over 100 Hawksbill turtles have laid their eggs at EGA’s Al Taweelah beach, and almost 7,000 baby turtles have hatched.

During the nesting season, EGA’s team tracks turtle nesting patterns, monitors the beach for potential predators, rescues any sick animals, and installs protection measures to safeguard nests and ensure hatchlings have a safe passage to the sea.

-        Coalition members include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.

United Arab Emirates, 15 January 2023: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, and leading beverage producers, can-makers and waste management companies, today announced the launch of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, which aims to drive a step-change in aluminium recycling in the UAE.

The coalition was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah in presence of His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Members of the coalition include EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEEAH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia.

Aluminium plays an essential role in the development of a more sustainable society. The metal’s properties are ideal to make everything from packaging to lightweight electric vehicles, and aluminium is infinitely-recyclable.

Around the world, aluminium is the most-recycled material, with more than three-quarters of the aluminium ever made still in use today.

The Aluminium Recycling Coalition aims to promote aluminium recycling by UAE consumers, particularly beverage cans - as millions of individual decisions every day on which bin to use drive collection rates.

As its first project, the coalition intends to support a study by the International Aluminium Institute on aluminium recycling rates and behaviours in the UAE, to fully understand the scale of the opportunity and potential solutions. The International Aluminium Institute is the global trade association for the aluminium industry, and is conducting similar studies around the world.

The coalition also expects to provide support to Government on aluminium recycling regulation and policies, and to work together to further the development of aluminium recycling infrastructure.

His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, said: “The Aluminium Recycling Coalition is led by Emirates Global Aluminium, the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world and the heart of the broader aluminium sector in the UAE which generates over $5 billion annually in the national economy. It will enhance the UAE’s position as a global leader in international efforts towards green development, support our 2031 goals on the circular economy, and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy that is more resilient and competitive.”

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by between 50 per cent and 80 per cent by 2050, because of the key role of this infinitely recyclable material in achieving net zero. Cooperation throughout the value chain, such as the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, will speed the decarbonisation of our economy in line with the Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. I wish EGA and the other members of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition every success in their collective endeavour.”

His Excellency Ali Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer), said: “We are delighted to be a partner of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition founded by EGA, and are excited to usher in the next era of aluminium recycling in the UAE through concentrated efforts. Recycling and circular economy are both key pillars of our country’s ambition towards prosperity. For us at Tadweer, this is also part of our commitment to support national platforms that support sustainability and raise awareness on the importance of recycling in the UAE.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Recyclability is one reason aluminium is so important for human progress, but every day as a society we throw too much of this valuable metal away.  By championing the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, EGA aims to increase aluminium recycling rates in the UAE to the benefit of our society and economy. I thank all our partners for joining us in this initiative.”

EGA was the first Middle East headquartered company to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, a global body that sets sustainability standards for the industry. EGA is a global aluminium industry leader in the re-use of by-products from its own operations.

Last year, EGA announced a project to build the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling facility.

Jason Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, said: “At Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, we are committed to our shared goals with The Coca-Cola Partner Company and together we believe that developing a circular economy is the most impactful way to address waste and climate issues created by packaging. That’s why we are championing the established World Without Waste program, our ambitious global sustainable packaging initiative focused on three key areas; Design, Collect and Partner. Our World Without Waste goals require collective action in partnership with a range of stakeholders at a global, regional and local level, and as such we are delighted to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition. Through this partnership our aim is to work with a diverse group of organisations to strengthen recycling infrastructures, boost collection rates, and take action that supports a circular economy. We see this as a significant, positive initiative and are committed to our joint success. As a company we will weave this into our Value Proposition- drive awareness through our customers, shoppers and consumers and report on the regional wins as we create an active recycling culture in the aluminium space.

Rafael Sanjurjo Lopez, Chief Executive Officer, BEEAH Tandeef, said: “We are proud to collaborate with EGA’s Aluminium Recycling Coalition to accelerate net-zero initiatives for a faster decarbonisation journey. The aluminium industry has a great role to play to promote the circular economy of tomorrow, and we are excited to further leverage our sustainability actions with this programme.”

Malgorzata Podrecka, Group Legal, Sustainability & PR Officer, CANPACK, said: “CANPACK is delighted to join the prestigious Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE as we believe it is only through collaboration that we will be able to achieve a lasting, positive, and meaningful impact on the environment and society.  By working together, we know we will be better able to tackle climate change, promote a circular economy, improve local communities, and ensure that the UAE’s aluminium industry is economically sustainable and here for the long-term. Put simply it is a fantastic opportunity to institute positive change across the country and to lead globally on sustainability-related issues.”

Mohamed Akeel, Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, said: “Signing today’s MoU and joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is a great honour and affirmation of Coca-Cola’ concerted efforts to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging across its beverage portfolio. By joining key decision-makers, industry leaders, and advocates for aluminium recycling, we are confident that our global learnings and expertise will lead to sustainable and impactful change across the UAE, which aligns with our vision of raising awareness by working with local partners.”

Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, Sustainability and External Affairs Director, Crown Bevcan EMEA, said: “We are proud to join in the Aluminium Recycling Coalition in the UAE, where Crown has a historical footprint and a market leader position in the supply of beverage cans in the region. As part of our Twentyby30 program, we are committed to increasing the recycling rates in the regions we operate, to keep our aluminium cans within the circular economy. One of the strongest sustainability credentials of aluminium is that it is infinitely recyclable, so we are excited to collaborate with other partners and develop projects to improve recycling of aluminium beverage cans.”

Tarek El Sakka, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Refreshment, said: “Joining the UAE Aluminium Recycling Coalition is one of many steps we have taken across several initiatives in DRC to translate our commitment towards sustainability. Being in coalition helps all stakeholders in the industry to focus in solving issues related to waste & act as a catalyst to bring changes & achieve circular economy goals. We expect this coalition to be the link between industries involved & regulatory bodies where will work together to set the right framework that will facilitate achieving sustainability objectives within a business context.”

David Stockton, Chief Executive Officer, DULSCO Group, said: “We heavily prioritise recycling and have worked tirelessly to divert waste away from landfills through our Material Recovery Facility while promoting a local culture of recycling. We are proud to join the Aluminium Recycling Coalition, with the shared goal to encourage the recycling of aluminium - a metal utilised by all routinely in daily life, with the capacity to be recycled infinitely into products such as new car parts, aircraft skin, roofing materials, or back into new aluminium cans. Along with fellow members of the Coalition, we hope to work synergistically through the exchange of knowledge and facilities such as our MRF to accomplish our joint goal of environmental preservation, in line with the vision of the UAE.”

Pascal Grante, Chief Executive Officer, Veolia Near & Middle East, said: “Veolia Environmental Service Emirates are proud of the partnership relationship that has been developed over the last 4 years working with EGA. During this time, we have helped operate, manage, haulage and place over 9.9 million tonnes of Bauxite residue from the Al Taweelah alumina refinery to the engineered storage area. And now, for two years, VEOLIA launched RECAPP which is promoting segregation at the source of metal cans in addition to plastics. Through this new service, we have noticed that the percentage of aluminium cans recovered remains low compared to the sales volume of beverage cans in the UAE. Spreading awareness through education is essential to bridging this gap, and incentive schemes – such as RECAPP’s reward system – are an effective way to promote sustainability in communities. RECAPP and VEOLIA are proud to be part of the Aluminium Recycling Coalition and to work hand-in-hand to explore innovative solutions that can increase the collection and recycling of aluminium in the UAE.”