From the very beginning, Al Maha has been instrumental in creating the conservation reserve within which it is set and we continue our dedication to that cause on an ongoing basis, with a proportion of our profits going directly to the DDCR (Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve). By staying with us, you will be actively supporting our desert conservation programmes, as a portion of our turnover is put directly into conservation projects.
One of the reasons the resort and the reserve area was originally chosen was due to its ability to protect one the largest, and last remaining underground water reservoirs. Three bore-wells on the reserve provide all the resort water from these ancient aquifers. Free and rid of the heavy demands of spray irrigation and industry these precious aquifers are now sustainably utilized, monitored continuously, and showing no reduction in quality and level from the day the resort began in 1999.
Waste water is recycled, and later used for irrigation around the resort. It is interesting to note that, before it became a reserve, the land on which the resort is set, was once farmed and heavily irrigated. Now, as a luxury resort, we actually use less water than the farmers did before us.
Valuable water within the protected reserve area is saved, with the help of an associated Emirates company, Linencraft. Based in Dubai they collect and process 80 percent of our laundry requirements, using modern energy-saving equipment, and water-light laundry processes.
All our product suppliers are specifically contracted to provide our requirements free of all unnecessary packaging.
Both mechanical and kitchen oils as, well as organic wastes, are gathered and disposed of daily by recycling contractors, (composting onsite is not an option, as this introduces increased levels of nutrients into the reserve). In addition, all glass, plastics and cans are recycled, as is all paper and packaging materials.
We sponsor a member of our staff solely dedicated to our recycling efforts, and they coordinate all our requirements with researched, certified, and contracted specialists.
Power is supplied from the Dubai network grid by DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority). DEWA is a constant and dedicated community service provider, and in conjunction with Emirates, (with exposure to our 40,000 strong workforce), DEWA conduct workshops across all Emirates' business units in educating staff on both domestic and workplace resource-saving practices. To be noted is that year-on-year (2009 to 2009) Emirates has been able to reduce its water and electricity in staff homes by over 15%.
We aim to respect the environment and always strive to offset any costs to it in the most efficient ways we can.
