The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced that over 172 million single-use plastic bags in Abu Dhabi have been reduced, since a ban on plastic bags was launched in June 2022.
Major supermarkets have reported a 90% to 95% reduction in their use. For every 100 plastic bags, only five were bought by shoppers.
Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Abu Dhabi Co-Operative Society, Spar, Choithrams, Spinneys, Waitrose and ADNOC outlets implemented a charge of Dhs 0.50 per bag.
Similarly, Dubai announced in 2022 that a tariff of 25 fils is charged for every single-use plastic bag, and will be banned by 2024.
Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the EAD said, "By reducing the amount of single-use plastic bags from negatively affecting the environment we are able to protect our terrestrial and marine biodiversity so that the future generations have a healthy environment sustaining them going forward. The carbon footprint of the quantity of plastic eliminated is equivalent to 272,000 tons of CO2 equivalent which translates into saving emission from 629,000 barrels during the past year."