Water fountain at Gems Legacy School – in pictures

  • Students refilling their bottles from the water fountain at the Gems Legacy School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Students refilling their bottles from the water fountain at the Gems Legacy School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Gems Legacy School has 16 water stations in place and is to install another 12 this year.
    Gems Legacy School has 16 water stations in place and is to install another 12 this year.
  • The school's first water fountains were introduced in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it has now installed contactless water dispensers.
    The school's first water fountains were introduced in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and it has now installed contactless water dispensers.
  • The water bottle project comes after Dubai's move to place a levy on single-use plastic bags.
    The water bottle project comes after Dubai's move to place a levy on single-use plastic bags.
  • Asha Alexander, Gems Legacy School principal, with a pupil who is refilling her bottle from a water fountain at the campus.
    Asha Alexander, Gems Legacy School principal, with a pupil who is refilling her bottle from a water fountain at the campus.
  • The principal said the school would also no longer accept any single-use plastic packaging or bags, as part of its environmental message to pupils.
    The principal said the school would also no longer accept any single-use plastic packaging or bags, as part of its environmental message to pupils.
  • Pupils at the school collect discarded plastic bottles from their homes and neighbourhoods for a project called 'Simply Bottles'.
    Pupils at the school collect discarded plastic bottles from their homes and neighbourhoods for a project called 'Simply Bottles'.
  • Under this scheme, plastic bottles are collected, recycled and made into yarn that is used to make clothes.
    Under this scheme, plastic bottles are collected, recycled and made into yarn that is used to make clothes.
  • Children are also going to restaurants near the school asking owners not to supply food in plastic bags.
    Children are also going to restaurants near the school asking owners not to supply food in plastic bags.
  • Pupils are also being encouraged to pack lunch in reusable boxes as part of continuing environmental education at schools in the emirate.
    Pupils are also being encouraged to pack lunch in reusable boxes as part of continuing environmental education at schools in the emirate.