If you have used plastic bottles in the past perhaps scattered around your home, then do not discard them at the moment. These unwanted bottles could give you free bus rides in Abu Dhabi through a recycling program pioneered by Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), the transport company of the city.
AD Mobility has teamed up with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Cycled Technologies to create a rewards-based recycling program, where public transit riders can turn in plastic bottles, and receive credit on their Hafilat bus cards. This green project, initiated in 2022, has expanded to include the new recycling depots in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
How it works: People accumulate points depending on the number of bottles they return using the ‘Cycled Rewards’ operating application.
- Small bottle (600 ml or less) is equal to 1 point.
- Bottle size: (more than 600 ml is equivalent to 2 points
Each of the points is equivalent to 10 fils, which means that if one has collected ten points, he or she earns Dh1 for the bus fare.
Steps to earn points:
- To participate in the experiment, one must install the ‘Cycled Rewards’ mobile application and enter your mobile number and the name.
- The next step is to take out your device’s camera and QR scan the code placed at the recycling station and on the screen.
- Put the bottles in and commence tallying your points with the mobile application.
How to redeem points: Here are the step by step instructions to redeem the points to your Hafilat card:
- Open the Cycled Rewards application on the smartphone and then choose ‘Redeem Now’ option.
- Select ‘Direct Spend’ and then tap on ’Integrated Transport Centre’.
- Please enter an amount within the range of Dh10 and Dh100 to deposit into your Hafilat card as well as your card number.
- For instance, click on ‘Redeem’ and your points will be processed to your card.
Recycling stations are available at:
Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Al Ain Bus Station
Al Dhafra Main Bus Station is at Zayed City side.
You not only get to ride for free on buses, but being part of the process you are actually helping save the earth, one bottle at a time.