EEG Collects 11,963 kg of Aluminium Cans to Boost UAE Climate Action

The 30th edition of Can Collection Day, organised by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), mobilised communities across the UAE under the theme “Turn Your Can into Climate Action.” Held on Valentine’s Day, the initiative reinforced the idea that climate responsibility begins with everyday choices, turning aluminium recycling into a nationwide movement.

This year’s drive resulted in the collection of 11,963 kg of aluminium cans, taking the programme’s 30-year total to 490,962 kg. The cumulative effort has helped prevent approximately 180 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions. Recycling aluminium saves up to 95 per cent of the energy required to produce new material, directly supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and aligning with UN SDGs 12, 13 and 17.

Thousands of participants from schools, universities, businesses, hotels, government entities and families across all seven emirates joined the campaign at six collection sites. With a 2026 target of 42,000 kg, EEG has already achieved 29.5 per cent of its annual goal, signalling strong early momentum.

Government bodies, corporate partners and recycling stakeholders collaborated to ensure responsible processing and circular value recovery. Marking three decades of impact, the initiative continues to demonstrate how collective action and cross-sector partnerships can translate awareness into measurable climate outcomes.

Aluminium can recycling delivers dramatic energy savings (95 percent reduction versus new-aluminium production) - the "climate action" framing captures both the direct emissions benefit and the broader circular-economy principle. Aluminium's high value-to-weight ratio combined with infinite recyclability makes it one of the more effective material-recovery targets.

30-year cumulative programme delivery (490,962 kg total, ~180 tonnes CO2-equivalent avoided) reflects sustained institutional commitment that outlasts individual programme cycles. Multi-sector participation (schools, universities, businesses, hotels, government, families) creates the network effect that behaviour-change programmes require for lasting outcomes.

For aluminium producers, beverage brands, retailers and their CSR partners across the UAE and Gulf, Cognitud's circular economy, CSR and impact assessment teams help clients evaluate material-recovery partnership opportunities, structure sustainability-linked commercial arrangements aligned with UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy, and prepare disclosures aligned with SDG 12, CDP Waste and jurisdictional circular-economy frameworks that increasingly determine reputational positioning.