Gulf News

Free water refills to quench your thirst

PepsiCo, Aquafina stations promote sustainabl­e water consumptio­n

- BY FALAH GULZAR Deputy Social Media Editor

If visiting pavilions all day has made you thirsty, you can refill your water bottle with ice cold water at multiple stations at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

PepsiCo and Aquafina have set up 7 water stations across the event site to not only help with sustainabl­e water consumptio­n but also promote hydration habits.

The main structure, called The Drop, looks like a giant droplet of water and it is located in the Sustainabi­lity District with a focus on eco-friendly water consumptio­n. Similar stations are set up in the Terra Pavilion and Sports Zone.

Unlimited supply

Inside the building, which is hard to miss because it is made using 41,000 recyclable aluminium cans, there is an automated water dispenser machine that gives people unlimited refills of water when they step inside with their own water bottles. A flask made of stainless steel can also be purchased at The Drop, helping reduced the use of plastic bottles and cups.

A nano filter provides both still and sparkling water, as well as flavour and temperatur­e customisat­ions.

“It encourages people to drink water. As soon as you make the hydration process fun, it gets people involved and gets them to drink more water,” said Merve Cetinturk, project manager at PepsiCo.

Speaking about how the process helps environmen­tal goals and ties with Expo’s theme of sustainabi­lity, Cetinturk said: “You are eliminatin­g the usage of plastic bottles, you are encouragin­g people to reuse more and more.”

The machine also tells users the amount that was filled into the bottle, therefore making it easier for people to track how much they have had.

 ?? Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News ?? ■ The Aquafina Drop is hard to miss because it is made using 41,000 recyclable aluminium cans.
Stefan Lindeque/Gulf News ■ The Aquafina Drop is hard to miss because it is made using 41,000 recyclable aluminium cans.
 ?? ?? ■ The sign outside the Aquafina Drop water refill station at Expo 2020.
■ The sign outside the Aquafina Drop water refill station at Expo 2020.

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