SHOROUK AWAD (DUBAI)
Single-use plastic bags are permanently absent from markets, sales outlets, and stores across the UAE, upon the implementation of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Resolution No. 380 for the year 2022 regarding the regulation of the use of single-use products in the country’s markets.
The resolution aims to reduce pollution resulting from the use of these bags and encourage the adoption of sustainable alternatives and multi-use products.
The aforementioned decision prohibits the import, production, or trading of single-use plastic shopping bags, effective from January 1, 2024. This includes degradable plastic bags. Furthermore, starting from January 1, 2026, the decision prohibits the import, production, or trading of disposable plastic products, including beverage cups and lids, tableware (spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks), plates, straws, stirring sticks, containers, and food boxes made of “foam” (Styrofoam).
The decision comes amid the UAE’s movement in multiple directions to confront the challenge of increasing single-use plastic bags that threaten environmental sustainability. The usage of these bags in the country has exceeded 13 billion annually. This is being addressed through the implementation of an integrated system, including raising public awareness about the importance of sustainable consumption of these products, applying circular economy systems to deal with plastic waste through processing and recycling, and using biodegradable alternatives.
The environmental and health pollution crisis caused by single-use products in general, and plastic bags in particular, is one of the most significant global environmental challenges. The increased consumption of these products has led to the generation of a massive amount of waste that negatively impacts the environment. This is a growing crisis with significant economic, health, and social effects, especially for island and coastal countries that rely on marine environments and resources in various sectors.
Ministerial Decision No. 380 for the year 2022 regarding the regulation of the use of single-use products in the country comes within the framework of the UAE’s efforts to establish a sustainable future in all sectors. The UAE has become one of the first countries to adopt sustainable solutions to curb the increasing consumption of single-use bags, addressing plastic pollution by tackling this challenge from all angles. This includes adopting more sustainable consumption and production patterns, raising awareness among producers and consumers about alternatives and what they can do, both in terms of the production process and when purchasing goods, to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in the oceans, seas, mountains, and wildlife.
Ministerial Resolution No. 118 of 2013 further mandated manufacturers and suppliers of plastic products to register biodegradable plastic products. Subsequently, Ministerial Resolution No. 380 of 2022 was issued to regulate the use of single-use products in the country’s markets, aiming to protect the environment from pollution resulting from the consumption of such products.
Measures to Combat Single-use
Plastic Bags on the Emirate Level
In Abu Dhabi, daily measures eliminate over half a million single-use bags, following the implementation of the Environment Agency’s ban on single-use plastic bags from retail outlets, replacing them with reusable options starting from June 1, 2022. This aligns with the UAE government’s vision to implement a complete ban on all single-use plastic bags in the country by the end of 2024.
In Dubai, the Executive Council’s policy to reduce single-use bags came into effect on July 1, 2022. This included imposing a 25 fils tariff on single-use cargo bags at all stores in Dubai as a first stage. According to statistics in the emirate, the reduction rate in the use of single-use bags reached 90% in commercial outlets, with an overall reduction rate exceeding 80% across the emirate.
The Sharjah Executive Council decided to ban the trade, production, sale, or import of single-use plastic bags and materials in the emirate starting from the beginning of the year 2024. These will be replaced by multi-use bags and materials meeting approved technical specifications and standards set by the Municipal Affairs Department. The aim is to protect the environment from plastic pollution risks, reduce negative impacts from harmful practices, and promote a culture of environmental protection and sustainability. Retail outlets in the emirate have also imposed a tariff of not less than 25 fils since October of last year on each single-use plastic bag presented to the consumer, paving the way for a complete ban on single-use plastic bags and materials in the emirate.
In the Emirate of Ajman, the Municipality and Planning Department announced a ban on the use of plastic bags in Ajman since the start of 2023. The department conducted a study to find alternatives to single-use plastic bags and promote sustainable alternatives. At the same time, they launched an awareness campaign to inform the community about the dangers of plastic bags and encourage people to use alternatives.
In the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain, the decision to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in the emirate came into effect at the beginning of 2023. As per the decision, single-use plastic bags in the emirate were replaced with multi-use bags that meet the technical specifications and standards approved by the Umm Al Quwain Municipality, or bags that are biodegradable or made of paper or woven fabric.
In the Emirate of Fujairah, the municipality banned the use and distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags in all commercial establishments in 2012. They replaced them with healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as biodegradable plastic bags or bags made from fabrics that can be reused multiple times.
The Environment and Development Protection Authority in Ras Al Khaimah approved the implementation of the Ras Al Khaimah Free of Plastic initiative, which aims to reduce the use of plastic bags in the daily lives of community members and mitigate the environmental impact associated with their use on the environment and living organisms.