Innovative Facilities Management for a Greener Future

Alina Abdul Kader, Intern, Emrill, writes about the organisation’s green initiatives at One Za’abeel

Emrill, the integrated facilities management firm, known for its excellence and award-winning initiatives, is constantly looking to better the lives of people living in the properties it manages.

As a 16-year-old student intern, I recently had the privilege of visiting One Za’abeel to see how Emrill has adapted the community to help the residents live more sustainably and, in turn, in a fulfilling manner. One Za'abeel is a new project – a famous luxury resort brand which offers hotels and residences. This brand-new development will be the perfect option for those who wish to experience living in the central business centre of Dubai at the gate of Dubai International Financial Centre.

With One Za'abeel, Emrill has taken significant steps to improve sustainability and reduce its environmental footprint. Two key initiatives, introducing reusable branded lunch bags for staff and transitioning from bottled water to water dispensers, highlight Emrill's commitment to sustainability.

Initially, staff at One Za'abeel were using plastic bags for food storage. This practice was not only unhygienic but also caused logistical issues with food storage and housekeeping. Using single-use plastic bags contributed to increasing waste and unnecessary environmental strain. In response, Emrill introduced its own reusable lunch bags for staff, addressing hygiene and environmental concerns. By providing durable and sustainable lunch bags, Emrill has effectively reduced plastic waste, promoting eco-friendly practices. This initiative discourages the use of disposable plastic bags and reduces overall waste, contributing to cleaner, healthier working conditions at One Za'abeel. Also, as the lunch bags and water bottles are branded, it helps promote the image of the organisation by making it evident that Emrill strives to improve sustainability practices.

Another significant sustainability initiative was transitioning from bottled water to water dispensers across various locations at One Za'abeel. Before this change, Emrill relied on providing bottled water for staff consumption, but recognising the environmental impact, the company made a conscious decision to adopt a more sustainable approach. Emrill proposed a solution to replace bottled water with water filter dispensers connected to the building’s network, which significantly reduced costs and eliminated the need for plastic water bottles. This initiative has offered substantial savings for Emrill. Moreover, it has provided the staff with continuous access to clean, filtered water, improving operational efficiency and reducing waste, positively impacting Emrill’s environmental footprint.

The sustainability initiatives implemented by Emrill at One Za'abeel demonstrate sustainable solutions not only reduce costs but also make a tangible positive impact on the environment. By transitioning from single-use plastic to reusable lunch bags and water dispensers, Emrill has created a cleaner, more efficient, and eco-friendly environment.

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