The United Arab Emirates has hosted the Every Can Counts Global Managers Meeting in Dubai, a gathering of sustainability leaders and communications experts from over 21 countries. The event aimed to highlight aluminium drink can recycling strategies and share best practices to drive global recycling rates.
The four-day meeting featured workshops, strategic discussions, and field visits to local aluminium production and drink can manufacturing facilities. Delegates explored ways to expand the Every Can Counts programme’s presence in public spaces, festivals, sports events, schools, and workplaces.
According to David Van Heuverswyn, Global Director of Every Can Counts, “The UAE is rapidly emerging as a hub for sustainability and circular economy initiatives.” He added that hosting the meeting in Dubai reflected the programme’s shared global responsibility to inspire behaviour change and boost recycling rates.
The UAE’s ambitious national goals for waste reduction and net-zero emissions provided an ideal backdrop for the meeting. Local sustainability projects highlighted during the event illustrated how regional innovation can contribute to a broader global impact.
The programme aims to achieve an 80% recycling rate for drink cans by 2030 and nearly 100% by 2050. “I thank our partners—Emirates Global Aluminium, Crown, and CANPACK—for their commitment to a more sustainable world,” Van Heuverswyn said. With aluminium being infinitely recyclable and lightweight, the Every Can Counts programme continues to raise public awareness and drive meaningful behavioural changes through locally adapted campaigns worldwide.