UAE: Ban on plastic bags to take effect in this emirate from January 1, 2024

Starting January 1, 2024, no single-use plastic bags will be allowed in Ras Al Khaimah, authorities have announced.

The emirate's Environment Protection and Development Authority (Epda) on Wednesday detailed the new law, which comes in line with the pan-UAE blanket ban on single-use plastics announced earlier this year.

Both the use and circulation of these plastics shall be banned in the emirate from next year, according to Law No.4 of 2023 issued by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

Khaleej Times is now on WhatsApp Channels. Click to join.

"Single-use plastic bags are the bags provided to you by stores," Epda said.These include those given out at grocery stores, bakeries, and clothing and electronics shops, among others.

As part of its national sustainability drive, the UAE is set to enforce a blanket ban on single-use plastic bags from January 2024, prohibiting the import, production, and circulation of these materials. Two years later, in January 2026, the plastic ban shall cover other products like cups, plates, cutlery, containers and boxes. These include spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, straws and stirrers.

• Dubai: This diving club picked up half a tonne of waste from the ocean floor