The ban on single-use plastic bags will take effect on 1 June 2024 as part of the #DubaiMoreSustainable campaign initiated during COP28. Dubai Municipality has issued a guide to help the public understand the specifics of the ban starting on 1 June.
As per the guide released by Dubai Municipality, Dubai will discontinue the 25 fils charge on single-use plastic bags and implement a total ban on all single-use bags starting 1 June. The guidelines from Dubai Municipality specify that all bags thinner than 57 micrometres, regardless of whether they are plastic, paper, or biodegradable, will be banned.
However, certain types of bags, such as bread bags, trash bin liners, wrapping bags for vegetables, meat, fish, and chicken, bags thicker than 57 micrometres, laundry bags, electronic device bags, various garbage bags, grain bags, and bags used for products purchased online are exempt from the ban.
Beginning 1 January 2025, the ban will be expanded to include single-use plastic items such as stirrers, table covers, cups, styrofoam food containers, and straws. By 1 January 2026, the ban will extend to a broader range of plastic products, including plates and tableware.
Penalty and Fines
People who continue using banned single-use products will face a fine of Dhs 200, which will double for repeat offences within a year from the date of the previous violation, with a maximum penalty not exceeding Dhs 2,000. It means that if you repeat the same offence within a year of your previous offence, you will have to pay a fine of Dhs 400 instead of Dhs 200.