UAE to ban single-use shopping bags from January 2024

Dubai: The focus on Earth’s well-being is set to be on the agenda in the UAE as single-use shopping bags are to be banned.

Following several other countries that are already no longer dishing out plastic bags to consumers, the UAE will ban the production and circulation of single-use plastic shopping bags.

The use of single-use plastic bags will be scrapped on January 1 2024.

Following this, then two years after more single-use items are scheduled to become banned in a bid for the UAE to reduce single-use material use.

Also, read – Sharjah to ban single-use plastic bags from January 1, 2024

From 2026, plastic or foam products (we’re talking cups, plates cutlery, boxes and containers) will also not be allowed in the region.

Products that are to be exported or re-exported are not to be banned alongside bags made out of recycled materials in the country.

In July last year, a plastic bag charge was introduced in Dubai and at the moment single-use plastic bags cost 25 fils.

It takes 400 years for a plastic bag to decompose in the environment, and thousands of years for the negative environmental impact to be mitigated.

Hotpack Global expressed their support for the announcement, “UAE’s recent announcement of a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags effective January 1, 2024, is in continuation to measures announced last year that inculcates a culture of sustainability and enhance the protection of our environment. It is a welcome move that is in line with the initiatives implemented in over 90 countries aimed at limiting the usage of single-use bags that are harmful to the environment. The ultimate motive of the ban is to educate consumers and create awareness about sustainable waste management and promote renewable alternatives and reuse of bags. While the ban on single-use plastic will help combat plastic waste pollution to a last extent, a lot also depends on plastic pollution created by humans dumping plastic waste irresponsibly and Hotpack is in complete agreement with the hazard that single-use plastic poses to the environment, marine creatures, and animals. Hotpack Global understands its responsibility, being the largest packaging products manufacturer in the region, and has been at the forefront of providing solutions to overcome the current challenges of plastic pollution. Sustainability in packaging has been the key focus of Hotpack’s decision-making for all its investments, and Hotpack constantly innovates and reinvests cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing products that ensure reduced carbon emissions as well as protect the environment from pollution.”

Kamal Vachani, Group Director and Partner at Al Maya Group said, “This is great news, we welcome this amazing initiative by the UAE government. UAE has always been at the forefront when it comes to protecting the planet. This is yet another move that shows how dedicated they are to do their bit to saving Earth for all.”

UAE shopping bag plastic ban UAE shopping bag plastic ban

Source: Agencies UAE plastic bag ban