Dubai Municipality has announced that the final phase of the ban on single-use plastic products in the emirate will take effect on 1 January 2026. The ban covers a defined range of single-use items, including beverage cups and lids; cutlery, such as spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, plates, straws, stirrers, and food containers and boxes made of Styrofoam.
To ensure a smooth transition, Dubai Municipality has issued a comprehensive awareness guide on the regulation of single-use products. The guide is designed to assist targeted entities in identifying and transitioning to approved alternative materials in line with the resolution’s requirements.
The Dubai Municipality initiated the ban in stages, with the first phase kicking off on 1 January 2024, followed by the second phase in June 2024. The third phase began in January 2025, expanding restrictions to include items such as plastic straws, stirrers, and styrofoam cups and food containers, leading up to the final phase in 2026.
This initiative marks the UAE’s efforts to reduce excessive single-use plastic consumption and supports the transition of both society and markets towards the adoption of sustainable and reusable alternatives.