The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced on Tuesday the implementation of a ban on styrofoam products in the emirate effective June 1, 2024. This ban falls under the EAD’s ‘single-use plastic policy’, which the authority launched in 2020.
Abu Dhabi is particularly targeting single-use consumer products with this ban. Hence, it includes products like styrofoam cups, lids, plates, and beverage containers (including caps and lids). Moreover, the ban includes food containers intended for immediate consumption, either on the spot or for takeaway. In addition, the ban includes containers that typically hold ready-to-eat products that don’t need any further preparation such as cooking, boiling or heating.
Exemptions
Abu Dhabi listed some exemptions to the styrofoam ban, including products that are not single-use like big storage boxes and coolers. Moreover, it exempted trays used for meat, fruit, ready-made dairy products, and other food items for retail sale. Moreover, exemptions include products designed for medical use.
Through the ban on styrofoam products, Abu Dhabi aims to reduce litter in the environment. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD secretary-general, explained that styrofoam, in particular, breaks easily into microplastics. Those microplastics can enter the food chain and affect human health and biodiversity.
“For the ban, we have only selected items that are avoidable single-use plastics and have clear and sustainable alternatives. We will also provide support to government and private sector entities to facilitate the shift towards reusable solutions,” Al Dhaheri added.
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Abu Dhabi’s Single-Use Plastic Policy
The styrofoam ban follows the successful implementation of the Abu Dhabi single-use plastic policy, which reduced the consumption of 310 million single-use plastic bags by April 2024. Moreover, the policy reduced the number of bags distributed by retailers by up to 95 percent. That is equivalent to over 2,000 tonnes of single-use plastic bags. In addition, the policy helped collect over 1,000 tonnes of bottles, equivalent to 67 million bottles.
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