Dubai has officially enforced a ban on single-use plastic, joining other emirates in the UAE in a nationwide effort to reduce environmental pollution and regulate plastic consumption. The ban, effective from January 1, 2024, imposes penalties, with a maximum fine of Dh2,000 for violations. The federal government had earlier announced the UAE-wide ban, which includes a tariff of 25 fils (Dh0.25) on consumers using single-use plastic bags to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.
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1. UAE-wide Ban:
- Effective Date: The blanket ban on single-use plastic bags commenced on January 1, 2024.
- Prohibited Activities: Importing, producing, and circulating single-use plastic shopping bags.
2. Ban on Single-Use Products:
- Effective Date: From January 1, 2026, a ban extends to single-use materials such as plastic or foam products (cups, plates, cutlery, containers, boxes, spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, straws, and stirrers).
3. Exemptions:
- Some products are exempted, including thin bag rolls for food preservation, exported or re-exported items with clear labeling, and bags made from recycled materials within the country.
4. Dubai-specific Rules:
- Ban Scope: Applies to both single-use disposable products and recycled items, covering plastic and non-plastic materials.
- Packaging Products: The ban includes plastic and non-plastic single-use products, food delivery packaging, fruit and vegetable wrapping, thick plastic bags, containers, and packaging materials.
- Penalties: Violators face a fine of Dh200, with a doubled penalty of Dh2,000 for repeated violations within a year.
- Grievance Procedure: Those contesting penalties can submit grievances within ten working days from the notification date.
- Applicability: The law covers both mainland and free zones in Dubai, encompassing private development zones and free zones like the Dubai International Financial Centre.
- Exclusions: Rolls of thin bags for specific purposes, garbage bags, and items intended for export or re-export are excluded from the ban.
5. Future Phases:
- January 1, 2025: Prohibition on items like plastic stirrers, table covers, cups, styrofoam food containers, plastic straws, and plastic cotton swabs.
- January 1, 2026: Extended ban to cover plastic plates, plastic food containers, plastic tableware, and beverage cups with plastic lids.
Dubai’s implementation of the single-use plastic ban aligns with broader national efforts to promote sustainability, reduce plastic waste, and safeguard the environment. The fines and phased approach underscore the commitment to creating a greener and more eco-conscious society.
