UAE to expand single-use plastic ban from January 2026

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The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced the start of the second phase of Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022, expanding the ban on single-use consumer plastic products and bags across the UAE. The new restrictions will come into force on January 1, 2026.

The move forms part of the UAE’s broader environmental legislation aimed at protecting natural ecosystems, reducing waste, and advancing national sustainability goals while enhancing quality of life.

Under the second phase, the ban will apply to a wider range of single-use items, including beverage cups and lids, cutlery such as spoons, forks, knives and chopsticks, plates, straws, stirrers, and food containers and boxes made of Styrofoam.

The decision also introduces a comprehensive ban on single-use bags of all materials — including paper — if their thickness is less than 50 microns. This provision will take effect on the same date.

Eng. Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at MOCCAE, said the decision represents a critical milestone in the UAE’s sustainability journey.

“Regulating the use of single-use products is not only intended to reduce waste but it is part of a comprehensive vision to advance the principles of the circular economy, in which resources are transformed into sustainable assets rather than environmental burdens. In the UAE, we adopt a balanced approach that prioritises the protection of marine and terrestrial environments from pollution risks, while simultaneously fostering business sustainability and growth,” Alia Al Harmoudi said.

She added: “We have confidence in the robust environmental awareness of the Emirati community and in the constructive cooperation demonstrated by the private sector, manufacturers and retailers in adopting sustainable practices and embracing environment friendly alternatives. Protecting our environment is a shared responsibility, and every step taken to reduce the consumption of these products is an investment in the well-being of our society and the preservation of our natural landscapes.”

MOCCAE confirmed that the decision includes specific exemptions to support trade flows and industrial activity. Products manufactured exclusively for export or re-export are permitted, provided they are clearly labelled and not circulated within the UAE market.

Items made from recycled materials within the UAE are also exempt, in a move designed to support and stimulate the local recycling industry. Additional exemptions apply to medicine bags, refuse bags, ultra-thin plastic bags used for wrapping fresh food such as meat, vegetables and bread, as well as large shopping bags intended for clothing, electronics and toys.

The Ministry urged all establishments, markets and suppliers to fully comply with the new regulations and actively support the UAE’s environmental objectives.

The second phase builds on the initial rollout of the decision, which came into effect on January 1, 2024. That first phase prohibited the import, manufacture and trade of all types of single-use plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable plastic bags, marking a key step in the UAE’s transition towards sustainable and reusable alternatives.