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MIDDLE EAST PLASTIC BANS EXPLAINED
Countries in the Middle East are taking action against single-use problematic plastics, with a number of jurisdictions putting regulations in place over recent years.
Saudi Arabia undertook a three-staged phase out of single-use plastics from 2017 to 2019 [1]. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) banned rigid polystyrene cups in 2006 [2], and then extended bans to additional items in 2020 and 2021 [3]. Now, Abu Dhabi is taking action
We’re staying at the forefront of legislative changes so you can feel confident we’ve got you covered.
UNITED ABAB EMIRATES
Key dates
2020
- All single-use plastics are banned at airports in Dubai [4]
- Initial announcement of plans to ban the following single-use plastics by the end of 2021 [5]:
- Plastic Cups
- Lids
- Cutlery
- Straws
- Stirrers
- Food Containers.
2022
- The UAE introduced a waste circularity mindset with intention to change consumer behaviour and reduce consumption of avoidable single-use plastics
- The Executive Council of Dubai imposed a tariff of 25 fils on single-use bags for carrying goods. Including those used at retail, textile and electronic stores, restaurants and pharmacies. The ban also applies to online and e-commerce deliveries.
ABU DHABI
Key dates
2022
- Abu Dhabi sets targets to eliminate single-use plastic bags, with aims to declare itself free of single-use plastics by the end of 2022
- The policy, announced in 2020, aims to remove polluting plastics from the environment and eliminate the use of avoidable single-use plastic and non-plastic materials
- The policy fosters a culture of recycling and reuse, and encourages sustainable practices in the community
- Legislation will be implemented across stages. This includes introducing incentives to target consumption of single-use plastic bags, applying fees to materials which have readily available alternatives, and a total ban on selected single-use plastics. [6]
Enforcement & Penalties
Officers from The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) will enforce legislation to reduce demand for single-use plastic products.
This enforcement does not include thin bags that are used for meats and vegtables, rubbish bags, bin liners or pharmacy bags.[7]
Contact us about moving to Towards 2025 compliant packaging, here.
Browse our range of sustainable packaging solutions, here.
References:
[2] https://gulfnews.com/uae/sharjah-municipality-bans-rigid-plastic-cups-1.245312
[3] https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/abu-dhabi-ban-single-use-plastic-bags/
[4] https://www.airport-technology.com/news/dubai-airports-pledges-to-ban-single-use-plastic-in-2020/
[5] https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/abu-dhabi-ban-single-use-plastic-bags/
[7] The Abu Dhabi single-use plastics ban: A quick guide (yallaabudhabi.ae)