UAE | Environment

UAE to ban plastic bags from 2012

A total phase-out of plastic shopping bags in the UAE has been endorsed in a UAE Cabinet decree.

  • By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:04 July 4, 2009
  • Gulf News

Dubai: A total phase-out of plastic shopping bags in the UAE has been endorsed in a UAE Cabinet decree.

Over the next three years, the Ministry of Environment and Water will educate consumers to use alternatives.

Substitutes such as jute, paper or biodegradable plastic bags are options being looked into by the Ministry, and they will have to be used by 2012.

"This initiative will include six main areas, the most important of which is education using all media, in all languages & to explain the negative impact of misusing plastic bags," said Hunaida Qaid, head of the environmental education section at the Ministry.

Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to degrade.

Last year Gulf News launched a "Say no to plastic bags" campaign that generated huge support from readers and the private sector.

Your comments


It is definitely a commendable move by the UAE government. The initiatives, such as solar energy and elimination of plastic bags, taken by the government for the green environment deserves appreciation.
Wajahat M. Chaudhry
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:56

Does this mean we have to pay for the so called biodegradable plastic bags too? if it costs 1 Aed per day. then that means 365 AED per year. n whats the big deal with it being degrated in 100 years. I think we are living with that phobia anyway
Axad
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:56

I am very happy to read this and Gulf News's "say no to plastic bags" campaign. But, I surprised when I purchase Gulf News from a hypermarket, because it was wrapped by plastic!
Abdul Jaleel M. V.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:48

We are finally getting there and in a serious way. Just hope that they will not allow "greenwashing" by letting plastics slip through in the form of so called OXO-BIODEGRADABLE. This is an un-certified and un-certifiable product and the scientific community is dead set against it.
Ronnie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:20

Excellent Initiative. I always worry about the pollution here by plastic bags. Whenever i go shopping i prefer to have as little bags as possible to carry home. In a way i am also part of group who want to save environment. The Govt should ban plastic and recommend usage of jute/cloth bags.
Karunakaran Rethinam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:04

It's a wonderful move by the government. I suggest that supermarkets must encourage all shoppers to buy their reusable jute bags by giving a raffle no. for every reusable bags purchased in their store. In that way shoppers will opt to use these bags with the chance of winning a prize at the same time participating in helping eliminate use of plastic bags in UAE.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 11:04

It is a pioneering decision. It is encouraging that the importance of educating the public is recognised. Today they seem to put each and every item i purchase in the supermarket in a separate plastic bag, so there is a long way to go... PS.Gulf News and other newspapers often come in a plastic. Please do not do that again! Thanks.
George
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 10:57

this is not a such issue that people cant live without plastic bags,it is proved that such bags are harmful to envoirement then why should we wait for 2012, just stop it at once.
Shahzad Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 10:38

It is a practical and bold move by the Ministry to phase out plastic shopping bags in the UAE. The "Say no to plastic bags campaign" by Gulf News last year helped many people realise the harmful effects of plastic bags to the environment. Creating awareness and educating all the people will help in implementing the decision and making a successful transition from plastic bags to environmental friendly alternatives.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 10:03

It is a fantastic decree.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 09:33

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