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Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island has become the first Hilton property in the UAE to launch a fully automated in-house water bottling plant, marking a major milestone in sustainable hospitality and environmental responsibility.

The pioneering initiative, developed in partnership with Dubai-based sustainable water solutions firm MYWATER, eliminates single-use plastic bottles from guest rooms. It directly supports Abu Dhabi’s environmental goals and Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior representatives from Miral and Hilton, including Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral, and Nader Halim, Cluster General Manager for Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton™, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences.

Advanced technology and sustainability impact

The new bottling system filters municipal tap water through a six-stage purification process, including particle filtration, multimedia filtration, carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, UV purification, and ozonation. Production is fully automated, eliminating human contact during bottling and ensuring hygiene and safety in compliance with HACCP standards.

Key benefits of the plant include:

• Replacing approximately 700,000 single-use plastic bottles annually

• Reducing 600–650 tons of CO₂ emissions each year by minimizing logistics and production needs

• Reusing glass bottles through a strict three-step sanitization process

• Providing guests with water quality information through QR codes on bottle caps (under development)

With a capacity of up to 2,500 bottles per day, the plant currently meets the hotel’s full in-room water demand, with scalability to supply additional properties. Guests receive ECOGLASS-branded reusable glass bottles as part of their in-room amenities.

Leadership perspectives

Jonathan Brown of Miral highlighted the project’s significance: “The launch of the UAE’s first fully automated in-house water bottling plant at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is a powerful example of how hospitality and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. This initiative reflects our ambition to eliminate single-use plastics, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the guest experience while contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision.”

Nader Halim, Cluster General Manager, added: “This project not only reduces waste and emissions but also enhances our guest experience. I am proud of the team’s dedication in bringing this ambitious vision to life.”

Hazem Hamdy, Director of Engineering at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, emphasized the innovation behind the project: “Our advanced system combines cutting-edge purification technology with automation to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and sustainability. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets environmental responsibility.”

Future-ready innovation

The bottling plant is monitored through cloud-based diagnostics and maintained daily for optimal performance. It also offers potential for modular upgrades, including flavoured and sparkling water options.

This initiative complements Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island’s other sustainability projects, such as its Air to Water refill stations, which have dispensed over 127,000 litres of drinking water to date.

By integrating advanced purification technology, transparent operations, and sustainable practices, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is setting a new benchmark for responsible hospitality in the UAE.

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