Dubai bans disposable bags

A ban on the use of disposable plastic bags has come into effect in Dubai from 1 January 2024. A resolution issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, bans the import and trade of single-use plastic products.

The ban will be implemented in phases, with the first phase affecting polythene bags. Non-plastic disposable products, including single-use bags, will be off the market from 1 June 2024. Cocktail sticks, cups and even plastic cotton buds will be banned from 1 January 2025.

From 1 January 2026, a ban on the sale and use of plastic food containers, tableware, and plastic drinking cups and lids will come into force. Bags made from recycled materials, as well as polythene for packaging goods going for export, will not fall under the ban.

Violators, i.e. those who continue to use plastic bags, will be fined AED 200, which will be doubled for repeat offences. The maximum fine will be AED 2,000.

It is worth noting that in Abu Dhabi, a similar ban began on 1 June 2022. Since then, the number of polythene bags used has decreased by 90% (87 million pieces). The ban does not apply to thin film rolls used for packaging meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, cereals and bread, as well as rubbish bags.

Source: The National

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