UAE set for second phase of single-use plastic ban

The UAE is set to significantly widen its ban on single-use plastics, with the second phase coming into effect on January 1, 2026.

The expanded restrictions will cover more everyday items such as plastic cups and lids, cutlery (spoons, forks, knives and chopsticks), plates, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam food containers, as well as all single-use bags thinner than 50 microns, regardless of the material.

Some exemptions will apply. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment says products manufactured solely for export will be allowed if clearly labelled, while items made from recycled materials within the UAE are also excluded to support the local recycling industry.

Other exemptions include medicine bags, refuse bags, thin wrapping for fresh food, and large reusable shopping bags for items like clothing, toys and electronics.

The latest announcement builds on the first phase of the ban, introduced in January 2024, which prohibited the import, manufacture and trade of all single-use plastic shopping bags nationwide.

The Ministry is urging businesses and consumers to comply and adopt eco-friendly alternatives, stressing that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.

The move forms part of the country’s wider push to cut waste, protect marine and land ecosystems, and support a more sustainable, circular economy.