Dubai: A total of 30 per cent of people in the UAE each use more than 20 plastic bags a week, a survey by the Ministry of Environment and Water has revealed.
However, people quizzed said they were keen to curb their habit. The ministry said 80 per cent of survey respondents said they were confident they could reduce their use of non-biodegradable plastic bags.
A total of 600 people were polled about their perceptions of plastic bags and efforts to preserve the environment in the UAE.
The survey was part of the ministry's first steps towards banning non-biodegradable plastics by 2013.
A fraction of residents questioned said government institutions were not doing enough to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic bags. But they said they were ready to support any plan to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags.
Results show that 65 per cent of the public used fewer than 20 plastic bags a week and 55 per cent of people surveyed said they reused plastic bags.
Raising awareness
Ninety-three per cent of respondents said they were ready to support efforts to limit the use of plastic bags, while just 35 per cent were satisfied with the role of government institutions in raising awareness about the dangers of plastic bags.
Overall, 85 per cent said they had heard or read about the dangers of plastic bags, and 83 per cent tried to use an alternative when shopping.
People who said they did not use environmentally friendly alternatives while shopping made up 52 per cent of the study sample.
A total phase-out of plastic shopping bags in the UAE has been endorsed by a UAE Cabinet decree in 2009. All non-biodegradable plastic bags will be banned at the start of 2013.
Dr Mariam Al Shenasi, executive director for technical affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water, said the ministry was devising the first phase of its campaign to raise awareness about plastic bags and the threat they posed to the environment.
Half of the respondents also asked for more public education about the dangers of plastic bags. Gulf News reported in 2008 how plastic pollution was worsening in the UAE, and was harming and killing desert animals like the camel and donkeys who tried to feed on plastic waste.
