Today's Edition
HALA AL KHAYYAT (ABU DHABI) - The ban of single-use plastic bags in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, since its implementation on June 1 last year, succeeded in preventing 239.5 million single-use shopping bags from impacting the environment, at a rate of 450,000 plastic bags every day.
The implementation of the ban aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and to enhance the culture of sustainability and recycling in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The main retail outlets in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have committed their support for the ban of single-use plastic bags, by offering reusable alternatives for nominal fees, where charges of no less than 50 fils per bag were imposed for multi-use alternative shopping plastic bags.
Since the application of the ban, retailers have recorded a significant decrease in the number of plastic bags ranging between 90 and 95%, meaning that for every hundred bags that were consumed at the main retail outlets before the ban came into effect, there are now only five bags currently being used by consumers, all of which are reusable.
By reducing the quantity of single-use plastic bags and their negative impact on the environment, the ban has contributed to protecting terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and in preserving the right of future generations to enjoy a healthy and sustainable environment.
The carbon footprint of the amount of plastic that was prevented is equivalent to 272,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equal to saving emissions from 629,000 barrels of oil.
The establishment of a comprehensive policy to ban single-use plastic materials will contribute to promoting a healthy environment and a sustainable lifestyle for everyone, combating climate change by reducing resource consumption and the resulting pollution, in addition to protecting the environment and biodiversity.
A recent study showed that plastic materials were found in 80% of the dead hawksbill turtles in Abu Dhabi, while 97 pieces of plastic were discovered inside 55 turtles.
