On Monday, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced a progressive plan to make the emirate free of single-use plastic bags by 2021, in an effort to reduce the UAE’s consumption of 11 billion plastic bags annually.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, stressed that through the implementation of this policy, the city will be joining over 127 countries that have taken measures to ban or limit the use of disposable plastic.
This includes plastic bags and cutlery, beverage cups, lids, straws and stirrers, as well as food containers.
“The policy will ensure transformation towards reusable items rather than shifting from plastic to non-plastic single-use items,” tweeted Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.
Developed with 12 government entities and in partnership with the private sector, the policy will implement a bottle return deposit scheme in retail outlets, and “introduce a levy on plastics with sustainable alternatives”.
The new policy also supports the UAE Vision 2021, which aims to achieve sustainable development, while keeping the environment safe.