Alserkal Avenue Partners with Award-Winning Water-Tech Company Wayout for “Plastic Free Drinking Water” Campaign during COP28

Dubai, UAE, November 2023

Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s dynamic cultural district, has teamed up with Wayout, an innovative water-tech company, to launch the “Plastic Free Drinking Water” campaign coinciding with COP28 held in Dubai, UAE. Addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste in the UAE, the initiative aims to transform Alserkal Avenue into a single-use plastic water bottle-free community.

Globally, over 300 million tons of plastic are created annually, of which half is used only once and no more than a fraction is recycled. Every minute worldwide, one million single-use plastic bottles are sold, and a staggering 12 million single-use plastic bottles are purchased daily in the UAE.

Wayout produces systems for local production of drinking water with a minimal eco-footprint. Their first system in the UAE is located in Alserkal Avenue, producing perfect mineral water where it is consumed. The “Plastic Free Drinking Water” campaign aims to increase public awareness and encourage visitors to Alserkal Avenue to switch to sustainable alternatives.

Basmah El Bittar, Director of Community Relations at Alserkal Avenue, comments: “Creating sustainable practices and fostering a space for developing thinking around sustainability is an essential part of the Alserkal framework as a socially responsible cultural enterprise. The work that Wayout is doing will go a long way in contributing to our collective sustainable future.”

Located in central Dubai, in the Al Quoz industrial zone, Alserkal Avenue has established itself as a significant creative and sustainable enclave in the UAE. Wayout’s global showroom invites visitors and enterprises to explore first-hand the clean technology and innovative water production system developed by Wayout. Showcased is a complete water system including a micro-factory, eco-kegs and intelligent dispensers developed specifically to meet the requirements of the region's large and ever-growing group of conscientious consumers.

A single Wayout system produces up to 20,000 litres of mineral water daily – enough to provide 10,000 people with their daily need of drinking water – while at the same time preventing up to 13 million plastic bottles and 1,400 tons of CO₂ from entering the ecosystem yearly. In the UAE, on average, 500 single-use plastic bottles are used per person annually.

“With 2023 marking the Year of Sustainability here in the UAE, it’s time to change. We all want change, but not everyone wants to change. We try to make this transition a simple choice. This collaborative effort reflects our shared vision for a cleaner and greener future. Cultural hubs like Alserkal Avenue inspire positive change on a global scale.” says Martin Renck, Chief Strategy Officer at Wayout.

As part of the campaign, Alserkal Avenue and Wayout introduce three pilot projects with local enterprises, including Le Guepard, Carbon 12, and Chalk, contributing to the district’s commitment to sustainable practices by serving plastic-free drinking water, locally produced in Alserkal by Wayout.

Single-use plastic bottles will be prohibited throughout the two-week campaign, where designated collection points will be set up along the avenue. Refillable bottles will be available in Wayout’s showroom in Alserkal, and the collected plastic will be weighed and recycled to provide tangible data on the campaign’s impact.

The “Plastic Free Drinking Water” campaign will take place in Alserkal Avenue in Dubai from November 30th to December 13th based in Wayout’s showroom in Warehouse G56.

About Alserkal Avenue:

Alserkal Avenue is a leading cultural district in Dubai dedicated to developing the arts, design, and creative industries. It is a hub for innovative and sustainable initiatives, bringing together a diverse community of creators, thinkers, and enthusiasts.

About Wayout:

Wayout is an award-winning water-tech company specializing in sustainable and future-proof drinking water solutions. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, Wayout aims to revolutionize how communities access clean water, promoting a plastic-free future.