Abu Dhabi gears up for single-use plastic bag ban

Plans are well underway in Abu Dhabi to ban single-use plastic bags from June 1.

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) said major retailers, plastics producers and other stakeholders have come on board to ensure the regulation is implemented smoothly.

Large-scale awareness campaigns have also been carried out across the emirate to get the public to support the drive.

Monir Bou Ghanem, Policy Advisor, Environment Policy & Planning at EAD told Dubai Eye 103.8's The Agenda that the emphasis is on phasing out single-use bags and not plastics in general.

He added that reusable bags that have the least environmental impact will be offered to shoppers by retailers.

The upcoming ban on single-use plastic bags was first announced by the EAD in April.

It is part of a wider policy to gradually reduce demand for about 16 single-use plastic products, including cups, stirrers, lids and cutlery, in addition to phasing out single-use styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024.

The EAD is also conducting a study for the introduction of an incentive-based, single-use plastic water bottle return scheme in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.