Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation, Empower, the world's largest district cooling services provider, has recycled 11 tons of paper used in its offices and plants, since it kicked off its recycling programme in 2011.

According to Ahmad bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer of Empower, this step comes in line with the company's firm commitment towards sustainability and is part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

Starting in May 2011, all shredded documents at Empower were sold to vendors as scrap paper, and the generated income was donated to needy people identified by the company. The donations varied between covering medical expenses, eye glasses, medicines not covered by insurance, helping families who have medical challenges, reconstruction of houses affected by floods, air tickets and groceries for needy people, and marriage aid amongst other humanitarian activities.

"We look at this programme as a collective responsibility that we have been committed to for five years in Empower," says Bin Shafar. "Conserving the global environment as well as paying back to the community drove us to implement this ambitious programme. Also, part of the income from this programme goes to the Emirates Red Crescent to aid them in their goals and projects."

Empower data shows recycling of 11 tons of paper over that specific period, including confidential shredded documents, newspapers, cardboard boxes and mixed papers. Earlier, in January 2015, Empower was awarded the Dubai Chamber CSR Label in recognition of its success in operating sustainably and responsibly across its corporate practices.

"We have taken community support to the next level at Empower to reflect our stature as the biggest district cooling company in the world. We practice what we preach and we are continuously committed to the highest standards of sustainability in all our operations," added Bin Shafar.