Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Print
Email
Discuss this article (6 Comments)Plastic bags set to be banned in UAE from 2013
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 21 October 2009
BAG BAN: Shoppers are encouraged to take their own reusable bags to the supermarket. (Getty Images)
UAE environmental officials have announced a plan to ban all plastic carrier bags by 2013 in a bid to reduce the amount of waste the country produces.
Some two billion plastic bags were made in the UAE last year, Gulf News reports, many of which are not reused and end up in landfill sites.
By 2013, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) said it wants all residents to use alternatives like cotton or biodegradable plastic bags instead
The ministry is also looking to extend the ban once it comes into effect to other plastic products, like drink bottles and food packaging, Mariam Al Shenasi, executive director for technical affairs at the ministry, told the paper.
She told the paper there was "no way they [plastic bags] will be allowed” after 2013. She was speaking at the launch of the ministry’s three-year awareness campaign to highlight the damage plastic bags cause to the environment.
The production and disposal of plastic adds to CO2 emissions, and the dumping of them contributes to pollution problems, as well as threatens wildlife.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
3 Years is too long a wait
Posted by C.Ann on Saturday 7 November 2009 at 06:20 UAE time
Although I am happy to hear that plans are being made to ban plastic bags, 3 years from now is too far off. I believe shops can adjust to a sooner date than this. The supermarket Carrefour uses thin, plain white plastic bags now and that's an improvement. However, other shops and supermarkets use thick plastic bags with heavy print. The UAE may follow the example of other countries, who either charge a small amount for the use of a plastic bag in order to encourage others to bring their own shopping bag. On the same note, plastic water bottles can be modified as well and manufactured using a thinner layer of plastic, with shorter lids.
Posted by C.Ann on Saturday 7 November 2009 at 06:20 UAE time
Although I am happy to hear that plans are being made to ban plastic bags, 3 years from now is too far off. I believe shops can adjust to a sooner date than this. The supermarket Carrefour uses thin, plain white plastic bags now and that's an improvement. However, other shops and supermarkets use thick plastic bags with heavy print. The UAE may follow the example of other countries, who either charge a small amount for the use of a plastic bag in order to encourage others to bring their own shopping bag. On the same note, plastic water bottles can be modified as well and manufactured using a thinner layer of plastic, with shorter lids.
Not so Huh? !!!!
Posted by Christian, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday 23 October 2009 at 15:14 UAE time
Tell that to the hunderd of camels who are dying a slow dead of starvation because they eat the bags in teh desert.
Posted by Christian, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday 23 October 2009 at 15:14 UAE time
Tell that to the hunderd of camels who are dying a slow dead of starvation because they eat the bags in teh desert.
Huh?
Posted by Jon, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 17:22 UAE time
All a bit of a joke really when you think UAE has second highest per capita CO2 footprint globally. Mass populations centres in areas where there are not enough natural resources (i.e. the desert) will always be an environmental disaster. When you consider the CO2 emissions from the electricity and desal plants, a few plastic bags will not make any difference...
Posted by Jon, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 17:22 UAE time
All a bit of a joke really when you think UAE has second highest per capita CO2 footprint globally. Mass populations centres in areas where there are not enough natural resources (i.e. the desert) will always be an environmental disaster. When you consider the CO2 emissions from the electricity and desal plants, a few plastic bags will not make any difference...
do it sooner!
Posted by langyaw, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 11:19 UAE time
when a law is passed that results to a manufacturing sector being shut down (read that as LOSS!), wisdom, on the part of the lawmaker, would require him to assess how long it will require for the affected manufacturer to close down with the minimal financial injury (both for the manufacturer and the government). this means asking how long it will take for the inventory to be consumed, among others.
IMHO, I don't think inventories of plastic containers and wrappers are *that* much. I think mid- to late 2010 is doable.
-- langyaw
Posted by langyaw, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 11:19 UAE time
when a law is passed that results to a manufacturing sector being shut down (read that as LOSS!), wisdom, on the part of the lawmaker, would require him to assess how long it will require for the affected manufacturer to close down with the minimal financial injury (both for the manufacturer and the government). this means asking how long it will take for the inventory to be consumed, among others.
IMHO, I don't think inventories of plastic containers and wrappers are *that* much. I think mid- to late 2010 is doable.
-- langyaw
Click here to post a comment
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST RETAIL
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST RETAIL
LATEST MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS NEWS
- Energy: Shell delays Qatargas4 project by a year
- Construction & Industry: Abyaar and Lacroix to build Dubai residential tower
- Travel & Hospitality: Gulf Air unveils strategy to save $2.65bn over five years
- Travel & Hospitality: Accor opening two new ibis hotels in region
- Banking & Finance: Abraaj Capital issue is fully subscribed
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Ministry of Environment and Water - UAE
| 24 stories- UAE takes action to ban shopping bag logos
1 Sep '09 | News - UAE eyes plastic shopping bags ban from 2012
5 Jul '09 | News
Mobile
