Dubai will outlaw single-use bags on Saturday.

Post by: Kanchan Chandel

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Dubai is intensifying its commitment to a more sustainable and greener future with the implementation of a comprehensive ban on all single-use bags, effective June 1. This move marks a significant step in the city's efforts to reduce plastic waste and encourage a culture of recycling within both businesses and the community.

The new regulation stipulates that retail outlets will no longer be permitted to charge the previously standard fee of 25 fils for single-use bags at the checkout. Additionally, these businesses are not required to provide any alternative single-use bags to customers. This broad ban encompasses not only plastic bags but also those made from paper and biodegradable materials.

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This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at completely phasing out single-use products. By doing so, Dubai aims to minimize the impact of plastic waste on the environment and promote sustainable practices. Businesses found violating this new rule will face a fine of Dh200 (approximately $55). Repeat offenses within a year will result in doubled fines, up to a maximum of Dh2,000.

The implementation of this ban comes six months after Dubai began phasing out single-use plastic bags across retail outlets. This earlier phase saw a significant reduction in the use of such bags and set the stage for the more comprehensive ban now in effect.

In conjunction with the ban, an awareness campaign has been launched to highlight the detrimental impact of plastic waste on marine life. A poignant example of this campaign was a banner held by a diver at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which read, “Single-use plastic kills more than 100,000 marine animals in a year.” This message urges residents to contribute to the solution by switching to reusable cloth bags.

The decision to include biodegradable bags in the ban might seem counterintuitive given their eco-friendly label. However, the challenge lies in their recycling process. Biodegradable bags require a specialized recycling procedure and cannot be processed alongside other plastics. Moreover, if these bags end up in landfills, they break down into microplastics, which can enter the food chain, posing a significant environmental threat.

Dubai Municipality has provided clear guidelines on what is included in the ban. The prohibition applies to all single-use bags, including those made from paper, biodegradable materials, and recycled plastic, provided they are 57 micrometres (0.057mm) thick or less. However, customers can still use bags that are 58 micrometres thick and above. Certain bags are exempt from this ban, including bread bags, rubbish bin liners, rubbish bags, and wrapping bags for vegetables, meats, fish, and chicken. Bags used for laundry, electronic devices, and grains are also exempt.

This comprehensive ban is part of a three-phase plan to eliminate single-use plastic products in Dubai over the coming years. Following the initial ban on all single-use bags effective June 1, 2024, the next phase will begin on January 1, 2025. This phase will extend the ban to include styrofoam containers and cups, plastic stirrers, straws, table covers, and cotton swabs. The final phase, starting January 1, 2026, will see the prohibition of single-use plastic cups, lids, cutlery, plastic food containers, and plates.

The move towards a single-use plastic-free environment is not limited to Dubai. In 2024, the UAE introduced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic, which resulted in a significant reduction in plastic use. According to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the first year of the ban saw a 95 percent reduction in single-use plastic. As of today, Abu Dhabi has also implemented a ban on styrofoam.

Supermarket chains in Dubai are already taking proactive measures to address plastic pollution. Warwick Gird, General Manager of Marketing at Spinneys Dubai, stated that the chain stopped offering single-use plastic bags to customers in mid-2022, replacing them with reusable alternatives. Spinneys now offers bags made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled material for Dh1. Furthermore, they incentivize customers to reuse these bags by offering a 25 fils discount on their shopping bills.

Gird also mentioned that Spinneys is taking further action ahead of the legislation by transitioning out of single-use plastic cutlery and polystyrene packaging materials. This initiative is part of the retailer's broader strategy to eliminate single-use materials in their stores and contribute to the city’s sustainability goals.

Overall, Dubai's comprehensive ban on single-use bags is a pivotal component of its long-term strategy to foster a sustainable future. By addressing the challenges associated with both plastic and biodegradable bags, and by promoting the use of reusable alternatives, Dubai is making significant strides towards reducing its environmental footprint and encouraging a culture of recycling and sustainability among its residents and businesses.

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