From June 1, 2022, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, will ban the use of single-use plastic bags, in a bid to meet the country’s goals for an environmentally sustainable future. The Environment Agency (EAD) Abu Dhabi has announced its mission to gradually reduce the use of single-use plastic products and start switching to reusable ones instead. Over time, the capital hopes to drastically reduce the use of 16 single-use plastic products, including items such as plastic knives and forks, with a view to also reducing the use of cups, plates and containers single-use polystyrene food products by 2024. in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UAE NetZero 2050 plan.
In a statement, EAD Secretary General Dr Sheikha Al Dhaheri said: “As part of our plan to completely reduce the use of single-use plastics, we are encouraging the citizens of Abu Dhabi to use more versatile and reusable materials to reduce their consumption. environmental footprint”, and that the new ban was announced because of “harmful impacts on the environment and biodiversity”.
Abu Dhabi is the first city in the region to introduce this new green initiative, which would have been implemented in 2020 but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in 2022, EAD looks forward to the new policy coming into force and will raise awareness through campaigns and discussions with plastic producers as well as retailers to confirm that the ban is on the way. .
Grocery stores, among others, and shoppers will be encouraged to purchase reusable bags, such as canvas bags.
Dubai has also launched some initiatives for people to consider using reusable products and has launched an initiative with a number of retailers where shoppers will be charged 0.25 fils for a single-use plastic bag from July 1. 2022. Pharmacies, restaurants, clothing stores and more will be charged for bags, and this will also apply to online orders.
In addition, the “Dubai Can” initiative under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, also aims to reduce the use of plastic bottles. for single use. The initiative encourages people to fill their own water bottles at water stations set up at home and at work, rather than buying plastic bottles.
