du’s Green Initiatives Pay Off, Surpassing Waste Targets

du, part of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), has partnered with smart and green facilities management firm Farnek to announce a remarkable achievement in waste management. In the first quarter, du successfully diverted 21% of waste from landfills across all its locations in the UAE, encompassing a total of 145 sites. This milestone is a significant step in du’s commitment to sustainability and its journey toward Net Zero emissions, marking an encouraging start to an ambitious three-year plan.

This accomplishment underscores du’s determination to minimize its environmental impact and aligns with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable future. The success in the first half of the year is attributed to innovative strategies aimed at minimizing waste generation across corporate premises. A comprehensive waste audit and the introduction of state-of-the-art composting machinery at du’s headquarters have been crucial in achieving these results. Additionally, over a thousand du employees have been empowered through training and awareness initiatives, equipping them with essential skills for effective waste management.

Adel Al Raees, Head of Corporate Communication & Protocol at du, stated, “Our waste management initiatives symbolize du’s commitment to responsible stewardship and highlight the vast potential for environmental innovation within the telecom industry. By surpassing our planned 16% goal, we have set a positive precedent for the upcoming months, reflecting our continuous efforts to achieve our long-term aspiration of becoming a net-zero waste entity. We are not just transforming our company; we are contributing to a movement vital for the UAE and the global environment.”

Muna Alnahdi, Head of Sustainability at Farnek, added, “Successfully navigating the net-zero transition in the UAE, particularly in waste management, requires addressing complex stakeholder dynamics. We’ve adopted an innovative approach that brings together key stakeholders—our facility management team, waste management experts, du’s leadership, and their staff—to work in unison. du’s impressive 21% waste diversion in H1 highlights the effectiveness of this collaborative effort and their steadfast commitment to sustainability. By focusing on waste reduction and composting, we aim to significantly further reduce methane emissions, a crucial step toward achieving net-zero goals.”

The achievements of the first quarter are propelled by a progressive roadmap that includes a full-scale waste audit, streamlined data gathering through technology integration (Wastek), ambitious waste reduction goals, overcoming unique waste challenges, and a step-by-step improvement plan. Leveraging Farnek’s expertise in green cleaning and sustainable waste management solutions, the company is committed to reducing du’s landfill waste by 30-50% over the next three years. By exceeding their H1 targets and encouraging active corporate participation, du sets a precedent for ecological responsibility and champions a waste-smart future in the UAE.