From Plastic-Free July to a plastic-free future

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), roughly 430 million tonnes of plastic is produced yearly, more than the weight of all human beings combined. Of this, one third takes the form of single-use plastics — straws, bottles, bags, packaging — used for seconds, perhaps minutes, and then discarded. 

Much of this ends up in our oceans, roughly 14 million tonnes each year according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, adding to the estimated 200 million tonnes that already circulates there. The World Economic Forum has reported that the accumulation of plastic in marine environments is growing so quickly there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050, further polluting our waterways. 

That is, unless we take action. 

Tackling the plastic bottled water crisis

We’re starting with single-use plastic bottles. Around the world, one million are purchased every minute. Because plastic is notoriously difficult to recycle, much of this ends up in landfills, rivers, grasslands, wetlands and more. Solutions such as recycling and reuse are ineffective, only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled. Even then, each time it’s recycled, the quality of the material degrades and harmful chemicals accumulate. “Most plastics are only recycled once or twice before being disposed of in landfills or incinerators,” writes the UN Development Programme. “Much of today’s recycling is merely postponing final disposal, not preventing waste.”

Governments are legislating change. The UAE’s ban on single-use plastic came into effect in June 2024, joining global efforts against plastic pollution. The private sector must also find solutions to replace plastic water bottles, while still meeting consumer needs: on-the-go hydration, superior taste, trusted water quality. This is important both for our planet and for our own health. Plastic waste can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose. Even then, it never fully disappears, only becoming smaller and smaller, such as the microplastics now found in our bodies.  

A global campaign to cut single-use plastics

This month marked Plastic-Free July, a global campaign to reduce plastic pollution. Around the world, individuals and organisations have taken steps to cut single-use plastics from their daily lives and operations. 

Eliminating single-use plastic bottles has long been one of our goals. We support schools, offices, hospitals, governments, hotels and more with atmospheric water generators and dispensers, circular bottled water solutions and bottling facilities. By refilling cups or reusable glass bottles with naturally replenishing water, our partners forego the need to choose plastic water bottles for one-time use. We have worked with companies to eliminate over 4 million plastic bottles this way and 338 metric tonnes of associated CO2 emissions. 

As we look back on the month, we’re also looking forward. Whether installing an atmospheric water generator/dispenser on your premises or providing circular bottled water delivery options, we have solutions to support you. Plastic-Free July was a global call to action. Now it’s time to continue that momentum.

After all, it only takes a single drop to create a ripple of change.

Learn more about how the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Aldar Academies and Jotun have eliminated thousands of single-use plastic bottles in their organisations, or contact us today to discuss your strategy.