Dubai’s ban on single-use bags: Retailers ready for the big switch from June 1

Dubai: Several retailers in Dubai have expressed their readiness to implement the emirate’s total ban on all single-use bags from June 1.

Dubai will stop allowing shops to provide customers with single-use plastic bags for a fee of 25 fils and impose a total ban on all single-use bags from June 1 as part of a policy to phase out various single-use products by 2026.

According to Dubai Municipality, the single-use plastic bags will remain chargeable only until May 31. All single-use bags that are 57 microns and under are included in the ban, regardless of the material used.

Violators of the ban will be fined Dh200. If the same violation occurs within one year, the penalty will be doubled, with a maximum of Dh2,000.

Retailers Gulf News spoke to ahead of the ban explained how they are prepared for the big switch to reusable bags by ditching single-use plastic bags and other single-use bags.

He pointed out that the ban is a “crucial step towards reducing wastage and creating a cleaner, greener environment for Dubai, which will as usual lead the world by example.”

“We are committed to supporting this initiative and encourage our customers to embrace these changes for a more sustainable future. We already are offering eco-friendly alternatives in our branches for consumers. It should also be noted that Union Coop was one of the first entities to implement the ‘limitation’ on the sale of single-use plastic bags from July 2022, also in line with the Executive Council of Dubai’s move to introduce a tariff on single-use plastic bags,” added Al Bastaki.

Moreover, he said the company, which runs 56 outlets in the UAE including 39 in Dubai, also rewards customers for bringing reusable bags by offering them 25 fils off of their shopping bill.

Meanwhile, Kamal Vachani, partner and group director of Al Maya Group, which has 47 branches of which 30 are in Dubai, said: “We are moving towards sustainability and going green to save the environment. We are grateful to the UAE authorities for this great initiative. In line with the governments’ efforts in ensuring sustainability and saving the environment, we shall be shifting from single-use plastic bags towards paper bags which can be used multiple times. These bags will be available in two sizes, small and large.”

He said these bags will be charged minimally. “The customers will have the choice to bring their own bags which is the path towards sustainability. If the customers prefer to pay, then he/she will be purchasing the bags for usage,” he added.

Lulu Group, which runs 110 outlets in the UAE including over 60 in Dubai, said the group’s outlets have already switched to reusable plastic bags permitted for use by the municipality.

He said the group has also introduced multiple varieties of reusable bags made of cloth, jute and recycled products. “These are available for purchase at our outlets starting from 25 fils to Dh7.”

Lulu is also doing multiple campaigns through in-store channels and social media to educate shoppers about the importance of switching to reusable bags. “We will soon roll out another campaign to incentivise customers using reusable bags by way of giving additional loyalty points,” Nandakumar added.

Some smaller supermarkets have also switched to reusable plastic bags of above 57 microns. Subair ACK, manager of four outlets of Shua Al Madina supermarkets, said the outlets have placed bulk orders to make a complete shift to these thicker bags.

He said the 25 fils tariff had helped cut the consumption of single-use plastic bags. “Some customers started bringing their own reusable bags while many others reduced the number of bags used. Earlier, some customers used to take extra plastic bags for using them as garbage bags at home. They stopped that habit after the introduction of the 25 fils fee and our expenses for purchasing the single-use plastic bags had also reduced.”

“I am proud to share that approximately 97 per cent of Hotpack’s products are already sustainable, being reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable or a combination of these. Our Research and Development team continues to identify new products and genuinely green technologies to further minimise our ecological footprint, showcasing our proactive approach to sustainability.”

To ensure that customers have access to affordable eco-friendly alternatives, he said, the company has undertaken several strategic initiatives, such as developing a wide range of sustainable products that incorporate recycled content and are fully recyclable, introducing 100 per cent post-consumer recycled shopping bags and investing in biodegradable packaging plants in Malaysia.