The United Arab Emirates issued a decision banning the production, circulation and use of single-use plastic products, starting from the beginning of next year, as part of an initiative aimed at reducing pollution.
The decision legalizes the consumption of plastic bags and regulates the production, circulation and use of single-use products. It prohibits the import, production or circulation of single-use plastic shopping bags as of January 1, 2024, including biodegradable plastic bags.
The decision also prohibits the import, production, or circulation of single-use bags, regardless of the materials they are made of, as of January 1, 2024 as well.
In the same context, and as of January 1, 2026, it is prohibited to import, produce, or trade consumer plastic products, which include soft drink cups and covers, cutlery (spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks), plates, pipettes, stirrers, food containers and boxes made of (foam) material ( styrofoam).
The decision called on all concerned authorities, the competent authority and consumers to work on and adopt mechanisms and practices to reduce the production and consumption of single-use products that include packages and packaging materials made partially or completely of plastic materials, including those used in food packaging, plastic bottles, cotton sticks, crackers bags, cigarette butts and napkins. Hydrator, balloons and balloon sticks.
The decision urged all concerned authorities, the competent authority and consumers to adopt and encourage initiatives that contribute to increasing reliance on the use of multi-use products, and to ensure the readiness and availability of suitable, sustainable and multi-use alternatives in all shopping stores, retail stores and sales outlets on a permanent basis.
The decision excludes a number of products from applying the ban, including rolls of thin bags used according to what is specified in the guide issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in coordination with the concerned authorities.. and products intended for export or re-export abroad, provided that a clear label is placed indicating that the purpose of production is Export or re-export and it is forbidden to trade these products in the country’s markets.
Exemption from the ban also includes single-use bags and products made from recycled materials in the country, according to what is specified in the same guide, and other products and materials that are identified and excluded from the competent authority, in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.