Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

UAE to ban plastic cups and cutlery in 2026, completely ban plastic bags in 2024

Starting on January 1, 2026, single-use plastic products such as plastic cups, plates and cutlery will be banned in the UAE, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday (January 10). The ban on single-use plastic products also apply to plastic food containers, plastic lids and Styrofoam boxes. Meanwhile, single-use plastic shopping bags will be completely banned across the UAE starting January 1, 2024. This follows a ministerial decision that will also ban the import, production and circulation of single-use plastic shopping bags starting in 2024. Currently, emirates like Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain are imposing a tariff of 25 fils for every single-use plastic shopping bag presented to a customer. The move to ban single-use plastics is part of the UAE’s push for sustainability and efforts to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions brought on by the production of plastic products. ICA/Expat Media
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