On January 1st, Dubai banned plastic bags; on June 1st, non-plastics

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has enacted Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023, aiming to address the environmental impact of single-use products. The primary objectives include safeguarding the environment, promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle, and endorsing the use of reusable items to foster sustainable development.

The resolution encourages the private sector to embrace recycled products, aligning with circular economy principles for sustainable recycling in local markets. It comprehensively regulates the use and recycling of both plastic and non-plastic single-use items within Dubai, covering disposable and recycled products.

Applicable to sellers and consumers, including private development and free zones, the resolution tasks Dubai Municipality with organizing awareness campaigns. These campaigns aim to educate and motivate the community to reduce plastic and single-use product consumption. Sellers are urged to support initiatives aimed at decreasing plastic usage and to make reusable alternatives readily available.

The resolution implements a phased ban on single-use products. Starting from January 1, 2024, plastic bags will be prohibited, followed by non-plastic single-use products from June 1, 2024. The ban will extend to single-use plastic items, such as stirrers and straws, from January 1, 2025, and further include plastic plates and food containers from January 1, 2026.

Certain exceptions apply, including thin-film rolls for packaging and garbage bags, as well as products intended for export or re-export. Violators of the resolution face fines of Dhs200, doubling upon repeated offenses within a year, with a maximum penalty of Dhs2,000. The resolution allows for written grievances to be submitted, with a designated committee resolving complaints within ten working days.

The resolution emphasizes collaboration among authorities, entities, and consumers to reduce single-use product production and consumption, promoting the adoption of reusable items. Effective January 1, 2024, the resolution will be published in the Official Gazette, rendering any conflicting decisions null and void.