Abu Dhabi to ban single-use plastic bags from June 1

Abu Dhabi will ban single-use plastic bags, effective June 1, 2022, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has said.

The agency plans to gradually reduce the amount of single-use plastic products consumed across the emirate. It plans to implement measures to reduce demand for about 16 single-use plastic products that include cups, stirrers, lids and cutlery.

It will also phase out single-use styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024, Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said.

In line with efforts to reduce pollution and promote sustainability #inAbuDhabi, @EADTweets is banning single-use plastic bags, effective 1 June 2022. Future measures will aim to further limit the consumption of single-use plastics products in the emirate. pic.twitter.com/amizqwSz5L

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) April 6, 2022

The latest announcement was based on its integrated single-use plastic policy introduced in 2020, which was developed to promote a healthy environment and combat climate change by reducing resource consumption and associated pollution, a statement said.

Read: Abu Dhabi plans to ban single-use plastic bags by 2021

Since the policy launch, the agency has coordinated with strategic partners concerned with implementing the policy, especially plastics producers and retailers. In support of this drive, a large-scale awareness campaign will be carried out across the emirate to educate the public on the new procedures.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said, “By launching and implementing the integrated single-use plastic policy, EAD seeks to continue the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, whose deep passion for preserving the environment inspires us in our sustainability journey. We are extremely eager to continue on our path of reducing the consumption of single-use plastics in Abu Dhabi.”

“As part of our plan to completely curb the use of single-use plastics, we are encouraging Abu Dhabi citizens to use more multipurpose and re-usable materials to reduce their environmental footprint. Today, we are introducing a ban on single-use plastic bags in the capital in light of their harmful impacts on the environment and biodiversity.”

To implement the policy, EAD has organised clean-up events and campaigns encouraging community members to help protect the environment while educating people on the damage caused by single-use plastics and litter, the statement added. The agency is also targeting private sector companies, equipping them with tools to plan for the policy’s implementation.

EAD is also conducting a study for the introduction of an incentive-based, single-use plastic water bottle return scheme in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with more than 30 private and public entities.

Earlier this year, Dubai also approved a policy to impose a tariff of 25 fils on single-use bags for carrying goods starting July 1, 2022.

Read: Dubai to impose tariff on single-use plastic bags from July 1