At Tudomart in International City, Dubai on June 2, 2024. EXPAT MEDIA

Shops and supermarkets in Dubai have begun charging customers Dh1.50 to Dh2 for reusable bags after a Dubai-wide ban on single-use plastic bags and paper bags was rolled out on June 1. At Tudomart, customers were being charged Dh1.50 for a reusable bag. The cashier told Expat Media on Sunday (June 2) that majority of shoppers opted to pay for Dh1.50 instead of carrying their own reusable bag. "It's only the second day, so they may be more mindful during their next shopping," she explained. The switch to reusable bags was not new at Union Co-Op, which has long introduced reusable cloth bags as an alternative. Suhail Al Bastaki, director of corporate communication department at Union Co-op, said that the supermarket chain will soon be offering perks to customers to encourage them to bring their own bags. Under the Dubai-wide ban on single-use bags, stores are no longer obligated to offer free alternatives. Most stores have opted to sell eco-friendly non-woven bags at checkout counters. N0n-woven bags are ideal for carrying heavy items such as groceries and shopping. These bags are also lightweight and easy to clean. Previously, stores in Dubai were allowed to supply customers with plastic bags charged at 25 fils each. However, this was completely stopped starting June 1 as the Dubai Municipality enforced a complete ban on single-use plastic bags and paper bags. The authority has urged shoppers to “make the switch to reusable cloth bags” instead of using plastic bags as part of a wider Dubai initiative to phase-out single-use products by 2026.

What’s included in Dubai’s plastic bag ban?

According to the Dubai Municipality, single-use bags thinner than 57 micrometers will be banned, including plastic bags, and even paper bags, bags made from biodegradable plant materials, and biodegradable bags.

What are exempted from the plastic bag ban?

Single-use bags exempted from the ban are bags that are 58 micrometres thick and above, including plastic bags for wrapping vegetables, meat, fish and chicken; bread bags and garbage bags. ICA/Expat Media
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