UAE | Environment
UAE pushes for a future free of plastic bags
Environment Day aimed at raising awareness.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 February 2, 2010
Abu Dhabi: The UAE Government is working towards having the use of plastic bags eliminated in the near future, Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, the Minister of Environment and Water, said on Monday.
"In line with the government's decision to phase out plastic bags, this year's UAE Environment Day that falls on February 4 will be themed ‘UAE Free of Plastic Bags'," he announced at a press conference.
The task of eliminating plastic bags will be achieved in phases, he said.
"By 2013, all plastic bags used in the country will be biodegradable. A three-year programme was launched in October 2009 to make sure all plastic bag manufacturers comply with this specification."
Furthermore, new measures to reduce the use of plastic bags will be announced until the country becomes completely free of them, he said.
Simultaneously, awareness campaigns to educate the public about the harmful impact of plastic bags on the environment will be undertaken to curb usage.
However, phasing out plastic bags will be challenging as a study by the ministry showed a 15 per cent jump in its use annually from 2006 to 2008.
In 2006, 38,501.40 metric tonnes of plastic bags were produced and the consumption stood at 28,319.87. The production increased to 39,323.53 in 2007 while consumption grew to 32,735.31.
In 2008, production was 47,377.48 and consumption 35,340.05 metric tonnes, the study shows.
Harmful phenomenon
"Globally, one million plastic bags are estimated to be used every minute. It is a phenomenon that is very harmful to the environment and affects not only the UAE but countries worldwide," the minister noted.
Urging residents to minimise consumption, he said: "Changing behaviour of the public is the key to achieving results, and this is directly linked to awareness."
He called on the public to use reusable shopping bags as much as possible.
Month-long activities have been planned across the country in celebration of Environment Day. The activities have been designed to cater to a wide spectrum of the public with the aim of increasing awareness on the issue and what each individual can do, officials said.
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