The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has recently revealed the details of a comprehensive guide outlining the regulations for single-use plastic products. This initiative supports the execution of Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022, which aims to regulate the use of single-use products in the UAE market.
The UAE enacted Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022 to safeguard the environment from the effects of the consumption of single-use plastic products. The decision has several key provisions including restrictions on the consumption of single-use products, regulations governing their production and use and a complete ban on the import, production and trade of single-use shopping bags, including those labeled as biodegradable. The decision became effective on January 1, 2024.
Restrictions on the consumption of single-use products
The guide outlines essential criteria for reusable bags, including the characteristics and specs of the materials used in their production. Key requirements stipulate that reusable bags must be washable, free from harmful substances and adhere to all applicable technical standards and regulations within the country.
Engineer Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, assistant undersecretary for the sustainable communities sector at the ministry, stated that the guide serves as a valuable resource for all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers. It guides them toward the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices. This includes transitioning away from single-use plastics and embracing eco-friendly alternatives to minimize plastic pollution within the country.
A year ago, #MOCCAEUAE issued the Single-Use Plastic Products,
which aims to minimise the use of single-use plastic products and bags.
The implementation of the guide by UAE citizens and residents has contributed to the adoption of environmentally friendly methodologies and… pic.twitter.com/eGAjqHlJ8X— ‎وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة (@MoCCaEUAE) January 2, 2025
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UAE advances shift toward circular economy
“The implementation of the guide by UAE citizens and residents has contributed to the adoption of environmentally friendly methodologies and choices, such as the use of multi-use bags, and has reduced the amount of plastic leaking into the land and marine environments and threatening marine life and birds,” said the ministry in a statement on social media platform X.
In Abu Dhabi, the Single-Use Plastic Policy saved 364 million single-use plastic bags from going to landfills since it came into effect on June 1, 2022. In 2023, the emirate also launched the ‘Incentive-based Bottle Return Scheme’ initiative, in collaboration with key partners, to recover and recycle single-use plastic bottles. To date, the initiative has collected more than 130 million bottles from around 150 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), smart bins and door-to-door collections.
In Dubai, the Dubai Can initiative reduced the usage of around 18 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles in just two years since its launch.
The ministry added that this decision to regulate single-use plastic products marks a shift towards an integrated circular economy in the UAE. By reusing and recycling resources instead of disposing of them, the UAE seeks to decrease waste and increase the utilization rate of recycled materials. This pushed the country towards achieving economic value from waste.
The decision also changed prevailing habits and the culture to make sustainable shopping a priority which also increased community interest and awareness of sustainability and environmental issues.
