UAE is moving to ban the use of single-use plastic, in a move that would protect the environment and reduce the volume of waste entering beaches and affecting the marine environment.
Both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai governments decided to take measures to reduce the use of plastic bags with fines or incentives, to support the new trend aimed at protecting the environment.
The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the decision to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will enter into force from the beginning of next June.
The authority revealed its intention to launch a system to retrieve single-use plastic water bottles, in exchange for incentives and rewards in the emirate, noting that it is also working to gradually phase out single-use Styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024.
The authority revealed the launch of Abu Dhabi announcement for retail outlets to reduce reliance on single-use plastic materials, next Monday, the announcement will be co-signed by executives from major retail outlets in Abu Dhabi, which include: Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society, Spar, Choithrams, Spence, and Waitrose.
The authority explained that the integrated policy for single-use plastics, launched in 2020, is the first of its kind in the region, and aims to gradually reduce single-use plastic products consumed throughout Abu Dhabi, and encourage the use of reusable products. The authority is working on developing measures to reduce demand and raise the efficiency of consumption of about 16 single-use plastic products, including cups and their lids, chopsticks, and eating utensils.
The authority warned that plastic bags that are not disposed responsibly in the designated place, end up in the marine or terrestrial environment, and each year kill more than one million sea birds and 100,000 living creatures around the world, including whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Noting the possibility of avoiding the use of single-use plastic bags, and replacing them with environmentally friendly, reusable bags when shopping.
For its part, Dubai Municipality revealed that a tariff of 25 fils will be applied to single-use plastic bags, starting from the first of next July, and that their use will be completely banned within two years.
The municipality explained that all stores must apply a tariff of 25 fils for each single-use bag, and a different tariff can be placed on sustainable (reusable) alternatives if they are provided by the store.
The municipality pointed out that the tariff will apply to all single-use bags used to transport goods at the point of purchase according to special specifications, including “each bag with a thickness of less than 57 micrometers, including bags made of plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic and biodegradable plant materials.”
UAE consumes 11 billion plastic bags annually (according to a report presented at the World Government Summit in February 2019), which is equivalent to 1184 plastic bags annually at the individual level, and this is a very high rate compared to the global average of 307 bags per person.
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