From Saturday June 1, Dubai is set to ban single-use plastic bags. Following many other places around the world that have swapped plastic for a more sustainable alternative, Dubai is poised to follow suit in order to protect the environment.
Dubai Municipality has published additional guidance this week on regulating the use of single-use products, including the single-use plastics ban policy that was issued in January.
The authority has revealed the different phases in which the policy will be rolled out:
- From June 1, 2024, Dubai will impose a complete ban on single-use bags (including paper, biodegradable and recycled plastic) and will stop levying the 25 fils fee for buying a bag at the retail counter.
- From January 1, 2025, plastic stirrers, styrofoam food containers, plastic table covers, plastic cotton swabs, plastic straws and single-use styrofoam cups will be banned.
- From January 1, 2026, a ban will imposed on single-use plastic cups and lids, single-use plastic cutlery, plastic food containers and plastic plates.
It’s important to note that if you’re a business owner, you may face a penalty of Dhs200 for non-compliance with the new policy, and can double if you are a repeat offender.
But the ruling doesn’t apply to every bag you see, however. Wrapping bags for meat, fish and vegetables you pick up in the supermarket for example are exempted, alongside rubbish bin liners and laundry bags.
