Styrofoam products, including cups, plates, lids and food containers, are now banned in Abu Dhabi.

Will customers be paying more as cafeterias in Abu Dhabi stop using Styrofoam products to serve or store food or beverages? This came after Abu Dhabi authorities began on June 1 a complete ban on single-use Styrofoam products, including cups, plates, lids, beverage containers and food containers. A representative at Eat & Drink restaurant chain told Expat Media on Sunday (June 2) that prices are not expected to increase since they have long switched to paper cups and paper boxes for food takeaways. Other cafeterias in the emirate are reportedly managing the cost of alternative containers without raising their food prices. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has shared a circular on Styrofoam ban with more than 50,000 commercial establishments and 80 industrial facilities involved in plastic manufacturing, and said it will be conducting inspections to ensure that outlets are adhering to the ban. Exempted from the ban are Styrofoam products that can be reused, such as big storage boxes and coolers used to store meat, fruit, dairy products, ice and other food items. Products designed for medical uses are also exempted. Although Styrofoam utensils and containers are cheaper, alternatives like paper containers are considered a step in the right direction in cutting down environmental trash from discarded Styrofoam products. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said the ban is an extension of Abu Dhabi’s Single-Use Plastic Policy initiated in 2020. In 2022, Abu Dhabi banned single-use plastic bags. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page