From hand tools to power-driven machines, the production of commodities and goods have significantly evolved over centuries. The rapid deployment of machines and today’s cutting-edge technologies have made the industrial sector more productive and efficient. But alongside this exponential progress, the environmental impact has been equally far-reaching.
Efforts to reverse the sector’s environmental effects have since been on full blast. With deeper understanding of their social and environmental responsibilities, more and more businesses are embracing environmentally friendly practices as part of their sustainability journey.
In the midst of the growing global sustainability initiatives, the bottled water industry has taken steps of its own to align its supply chain processes with the green movement. Such a strategy will not only make the industry in step with the Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations but also lead to innovation, higher operational efficiency, better consumer trust, and significant cost benefits.
In the UAE, the bottled water industry’s adoption of a green strategy is pivotal to the government’s environmental efforts, which include carbon footprint reduction, and renewable energy strategy. This direction has resulted not only in programs reducing the environmental impact of industry players but also the optimised use of their resources, whether it be water or packaging materials, among others.
Take for instance Mai Dubai, the fastest growing bottled water company in the UAE. Over the years, the company has achieved results in its sustainability programs as it takes on a more proactive approach to its social and environmental responsibilities.
52,056 solar panels installed in its rooftop have been powering the company’s entire factory and onsite offices with clean energy since 2019
Mai Dubai, which supports the UAE Net Zero 2050 vision, has produced accomplishments in the area of environmental sustainability. The 52,056 solar panels installed in its rooftop have been powering the company’s entire factory and onsite offices with clean energy since 2019. The rooftop solar panel system is the second-largest solar roof installation in the world and the largest in the region. Through the initiative, Mai Dubai now operates 100 per cent on solar energy.
Alexander van ’t Riet, CEO, Mai Dubai said, “Amid growing sustainability calls and rapid technological innovations, the industrial era is fast adapting to changes brought forth by these developments. Today, we are seeing the industrial sector going beyond mere compliance with regulations to embracing sustainable measures vital to their growth and the environment. It is imperative for businesses to be mindful of and address their environmental impact not only to keep up with the changes but also as part of their duty as responsible corporate citizens.”
“At Mai Dubai, we recognise the significance of implementing sustainable practices while increasing the efficiency of our operations and providing clean and safe drinking water to our communities. This drives us to invest in state-of-the-art technological innovations. Our net-zero energy consumption for the past two years in a row proves that our investments have been yielding great dividends for us, and we will continue to foster responsible operations according to the sustainability goals of Dubai and the UAE.”
Each industry is vital to building a more sustainable future for all. Players in the bottled water sector such as Mai Dubai are seen to further ramp up their initiatives as the world continues to strive to move towards a net-zero society.
