Khaberni - The UAE continues to implement its environmental policies aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing sustainability, with the initiation of the second and final phase of Ministerial Decree No. (380) for the year 2022, starting from January 1, 2026, which includes a ban on importing, producing, or trading a new set of disposable plastic products and single-use bags.
This measure completes an integrated legislative system launched by the state over the past years, aimed at protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and reducing the environmental impact of waste, in line with the UAE's direction towards reinforcing principles of sustainability and quality of life.
List of products included in the ban
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment clarified that the ban, which will take effect at the beginning of 2026, includes a range of daily products most commonly used, such as beverage cups and their lids, plastic utensils like spoons, forks, knives, and eating sticks, in addition to plates, straws, stirrers, and containers and food boxes made from styrofoam (foam).
The decision also imposes a comprehensive ban on single-use bags, regardless of their manufacturing material, including paper bags if their thickness is less than 50 microns, starting from the same date.
Multiple-use sustainable alternatives
In response to the ban, the ministry called for an expansion in the use of sustainable alternatives, which include paper cups lined with plant layers or natural wax, cups made from plant materials such as sugarcane or natural fibers, alongside reusable cups made of stainless steel, glass, or silicone.
The approved alternatives also include paper plates or those made from plant materials, and dining utensils made from wood, bamboo, or plant materials, in addition to lightweight reusable metal utensils, to promote a culture of repeated use instead of single-use.
Specific exceptions
With the aim of supporting the industrial sector and ensuring the smoothness of commercial movement, the ministry pointed out that there are specific exceptions to the ban, which include products prepared for export or re-export outside the country, provided they are clearly marked as such and prevented from being traded in the local markets.
Also exempted are bags and products made from materials recycled within the country, encouraging the local recycling industry, in addition to medicine bags, trash bags, and very thin bag rolls used for storing fresh foods such as meats, vegetables, and bread, as well as large shopping bags designated for fashion, electronics, and toys.
A gradual approach that started in 2024
The activation of the second phase is an extension of efforts that began with the first phase in January 2024, which stipulated a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags of all types, including biodegradable ones, a step that paved the way for the community and marketplaces to adopt sustainable alternatives.
