Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi has partnered with Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre “Tadweer”, and Dubai-based plastic bottle recycler, DGrade to unveil a sustainability initiative which rewards plastic bottle recycling with free trips on public buses.
The “Points for Plastic: the Bus Tariff” Initiative encourages public transport passengers to gain points when they hand over empty plastic bottles at plastics deposit machine installed at main bus stations in Abu Dhabi.
Points will be awarded based on the size of bottles deposited by the travelers at the deposit machines. 1 Point will be given when a single small bottle (600 ml or less) is deposited at the designated collection points.
Larger containers or bottles, exceeding 600 ml in capacity will be awarded with 2 Points. Each Point will be equal to 10 fils, which will be compiled and transferred to the “Hafilat” Personalized Bus Card, the ITC automated payment system, which will automatically calculate the fare required for the trip and deduct it from the cash value stored in the card via the tariff machines installed at bus entrances and exits.
The EAD is working closely with its partners from the public and private sectors to launch an integrated bottle return scheme in key locations, as well as encouraging initiatives to collect bottles from homes in a way that is based on incentive rewards.