UAE to expand ban on single-use plastics from 2026

In the United Arab Emirates, the final stage of the ban on the use of single-use plastic products will come into force on 1 January 2026. The restrictions will apply to a broader range of items, including beverage cups with lids, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and food containers made of polystyrene. This was reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.

At the same time, a complete ban will be introduced on the use of single-use bags made of any materials (including paper) if their thickness is less than 50 microns. The decision forms part of the implementation of a ministerial resolution aimed at protecting the UAE’s ecosystem.

The ban has been introduced in stages since 2024. The first phase, which began on 1 January last year, concerned a ban on the import, production and trade of single-use plastic shopping bags.

As noted by Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the regulation is aimed not only at reducing waste but also at promoting the principles of a circular economy.

The decision provides for exemptions. Thus, products manufactured for export, bags made from materials recycled in the UAE, pharmacy and waste bags, as well as thin bags for packaging fresh produce, are permitted.

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