Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is winning the battle against plastic pollution, having saved 364 million single-use plastic bags and recovered more than 130 million bottles, according to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). EAD predicts that the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic in 2022 will have saved over 400 million single-use plastic bags by the end of this year. In the last nine months alone, consumption has decreased by 121.5 million bags.
The total amount saved so far is the equivalent of 2,400 tonnes of plastic or 547,000 tonnes of green house gases (GHGs), the same environmental impact as of 130,000 gasoline-powered cars driven for a year.
In 2023, EAD launched the Incentive-based Bottle Return Scheme in collaboration with key partners to recover and recycle single-use plastic bottles. The initiative has led to the collection of 2,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic from approximately 150 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), smart bins, and door-to-door collections - enough to fill 80 truckloads. By the end of 2024, the Agency expects to have collected 90 million single-use plastic bottles, with 67 million bottles already returned for recycling in 2024.
On June 1 of this year, EAD imposed a ban on certain Styrofoam products. The Agency reported a 97% compliance rate among retailers, with further improvements expected by the year's end. These proactive measures are a step towards the upcoming Federal ban on targeted Styrofoam and plastic products, set to take effect in 2026.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD said: "We knew that a consumer change in behaviour was the key to us being able to reduce the reliance on single-use plastics and nurture a culture of reuse and recycling. The Abu Dhabi community has proven to be more than collaborative and proactive."
She noted that the 364 million single-use plastic bags saved in Abu Dhabi represent a 95% reduction in the total number of plastic bags distributed at the emirate's cash counters.
Since the implementation of the policy, the number of bags used by shoppers, dropped from three to just 0.4 bags per trip, according to Al Dhaheri.
This shift has contributed to a 2,000% increase in the use of reusable bags within just one year, rising from 603 bags in 2022 to 26,075 bags in 2023 at one of the emirate's major outlets, she noted.
EAD also reports a significant increase in the number of companies focused on plastic recycling across the emirate, with 57 new recycling firms now operating in the waste sector. Meanwhile, the number of companies manufacturing single-use plastic products in Abu Dhabi has declined from 110 in 2022 to 88 in 2023.
"We are delighted, as the residents of Abu Dhabi made an effort to embrace reusable bags and return their bottles to the Reverse Vending Machines for recycling, which has hugely contributed to our success. The results of a survey we conducted indicated that 84% of the public are aware of the policy and its requirements, and 82% said that the policy has a positive impact on quality of life, represented by clean beaches and waterways," Al Dhaheri said.
"We could not have achieved our ambitious goals without the cooperation of our strategic partners, including the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and retailers, who have worked closely with us to provide alternatives to single-use plastic products, in addition to helping us implement the ban on Styrofoam products."
These efforts align with the UAE's Year of Sustainability, a key initiative announced by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to inspire sustainable practices and collective action throughout 2024.
Overseen by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the year builds on the successes of 2023, shifting from learning about sustainability to actively implementing change.
Initiatives like the single-use plastic ban and the bottle return scheme reflect the UAE's leadership in environmental stewardship and the collaborative efforts of residents, businesses, and government agencies to drive lasting change.
Various local entities have launched initiatives, supporting EAD's efforts to eliminate single-use plastic and encouraging recycling.
In July 2023, Tadweer Group deployed 25 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) in strategic locations across Abu Dhabi, including Umm Al Emarat Park and Zayed International Airport, with additional installations planned.
It also announced the official launch of the Tadweer Rewards application, an initiative aimed at encouraging the community to recycle by earning points that can be redeemed for rewards from a variety of partner merchants.
In 2022, Abu Dhabi Mobility introduced a rewards-based recycling initiative at public transport stations, encouraging riders to deposit plastic bottles for points that can be used for bus fares. In August 2024, new recycling units were installed in Al Ain and Al Dhafra, expanding the programme's reach and offering even more opportunities for the public to participate in eco-friendly practices.
A 2018 report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) revealed that global plastic production reached 400 million tonnes in 2015, with 36% (144 million tonnes) used for single-use plastic packaging. Only 9% of plastics are recycled, while 12% are incinerated, and the remaining 79% end up in landfills or pollute the environment. In the UAE, approximately 11 billion plastic bags are used annually, equating to 1,182 bags per person each year, according to a report presented at the 2019 World Government Summit.
