Dubai recently announced a ban on single-use plastic bags, effective January 1, 2024. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, issued the resolution last Sunday, December 31, 2023.
Banned products
The ban applies to single-use and recycled products, including plastic and non-plastic items, regardless of their material composition.
The single-use plastic and non-plastic products include food delivery packaging, fruit and vegetable packaging, thick plastic bags, plastic containers, and packaging materials made partly or entirely of plastic. Plastic bottles, snack bags, wet wipes, balloons, and balloon sticks are also included in the ban.
The ban extends to sellers and consumers within Dubai and includes private development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).
Excluded from the ban are rolls of thin bags used to package meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, bread, garbage bags, and products intended for export or re-export. These items include single-use plastic shopping bags, single-use shopping bags, and single-use plastic products.
Implementation dates
The ban on single-use plastic products starts on January 1, 2025. Dubai will prohibit products such as plastic stirrers, tablecloths, cups, styrofoam food containers, plastic straws, and plastic cotton swabs.
The ban on other single-use plastic products starts on January 1, 2026. The ban will extend to plastic plates, plastic food containers, plastic cutlery, and plastic beverage cups and lids.
Fines
A fine of AED200 dirhams will be imposed in the case of a violation. If the same violation occurs within one year from the date of the previous violation, the penalty will increase to a maximum of AED2,000.
Individuals wishing to appeal the violation may submit written grievances to the directors-general of the relevant government department responsible for licensing economic activities in Dubai. These entities include the Department of Economy and Tourism or authorities overseeing private development zones and free zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The grievances must be submitted within ten working days from the date of notification regarding the decision, procedure, or penalty. The director general formed a committee for this purpose. Therefore the committee shall resolve the complaint within ten working days from the date of its submission. The decision the committee issues is final and any other decision that may conflict with its provisions is invalid.
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Decision’s aim
The decision aims to protect the environment and local biological and animal diversity. Moreover, it seeks to motivate community members to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly behavior.
It also aims to encourage the private sector to use recycled products, in line with circular economy practices that promote sustainable recycling of products in local markets. It also seeks to regulate the use and recycling of single-use plastic products.
The decision obligates all relevant authorities and consumers to cooperate in developing and implementing mechanisms and practices aimed at reducing the production and consumption of single-use products. Additionally, the decision seeks to ease the adoption of practices and initiatives that foster reliance on reusable products.
Furthermore, the decision requires sellers to actively participate in projects, initiatives, and programs aimed at reducing plastics and single-use products. Therefore, sellers must offer specific reusable and affordable alternatives.
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