Starting from 1 October, retail establishments in the emirate must charge a minimum fee of 25 fils for all single-use plastic bags and materials
Sharjah announced the ban of single-use plastics bags and materials from 2024. (Credit: Filmbetrachter from Pixabay)
The executive council of Sharjah, a city in the UAE, has announced the ban on trade, production, offer or import of single-use plastics bags and materials from 1 January 2024.
Starting from 1 October, retail establishments in the emirate must charge a minimum fee of 25 fils ($0.07) for all single-use plastic bags and materials.
Until the complete ban takes effect, the council intends to gradually restrict the usage of single-use plastic items in Sharjah’s businesses and eateries.
Customers must be informed of the levy and made aware of the harm that plastic trash does to the environment by businesses, said the council.
According to the plans, the council will also push retailers to provide reusable items as an alternative to single-use bags, such as tote and canvas bags.
These goods must satisfy specific technical requirements and have their use approved by the Department of Municipalities Affairs.
The council announced that starting in 2024, it will completely outlaw the production, distribution, sale, and import of single-use plastic bags and materials.
The responsibility for developing the necessary plans and regulations to carry out the resolution’s provisions will fall to the Department of Municipalities Affairs.
It will create and launch awareness-raising and instructional campaigns over the coming months to switch from using single-use plastic bags and materials to other sustainable and multi-use alternatives.
According to the emirate’s executive council, the price in Dubai will be gradually assessed before single-use plastic bags are entirely outlawed in two years.
Compared to how many single-use bags were distributed before the introduction of the 25 fills ($0.07) charge on 1 July, supermarket chain Spinneys reported a 90% decrease in sales of single-use bags.
The decision carries out instructions from His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah and follows a similar ban enforced in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.