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Discuss this article (12 Comments)Abu Dhabi to ban all plastic bags in shops by mid-2010
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Friday, 06 November 2009
The Centre of Waste Management in Abu Dhabi has finalised a draft resolution for banning use of plastic bags at shopping centers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, according to a report on Thursday.
According to newswire WAM, Dr Badr Al Harahsha, director of the centre, has said that the resolution has been submitted to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi for approval.
"If passed, the commercial shops will be granted a six month grace period to comply with the resolution. Plastic bags will be replaced with paper or cloth ones," he said while talking to Khaleej Times, WAM added.
Al Harahsha told the daily that "Offenders will face a hefty fine of not less than AED10,000 ($2723), we expect the resolution to go into force next year."
For this, the Abu Dhabi government will licence new laboratories on testing bags used in markets to ensure they are free of any hazardous materials harmful to public health.
"Plastic bags make up to 20 per cent of waste in Abu Dhabi emirate," the office revealed. He added that in a later stage, producers of plastic bags will be ordered to make environmentally-friendly products.
Abu Dhabi-based The National daily reported that the ban is expected by the middle of next year, pre-empting a complete ban nationwide by about three years .
It added that Nabil al Mudallal, senior engineer at the Centre of Waste Management, said the resolution was expected to be in effect by January 1.
READERS' COMMENTS
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Abu Dhabi to ban all plastic bags
Posted by Lamia Mcpherson, UAE on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 14:42 UAE time
You don’t have to cut trees to make paper. It is possible to make paper from the fiber of thousands of plant varieties; some are more suitable than others. Pampas Grass, Corn, Iris, Papyrus, they are all perennials and most of them grow extremely fast.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to use plants for making paper with the idea of layering strips of a wetland plant (papyrus, from which the word paper is derived) and pounding them together to make flat sheets.
Making paper should be included in the schools’ curricula, as in the classroom it is easy to do and can inspire explorations across the curriculum. For instance, it fits nicely with a recycling theme because the easiest method of making it is to start with scrap paper that has already served its purpose.
I would like to congratulate the Abu Dhabi Emirates for pioneering this project and I hope they’ll make the public transport system green energy dependent
Posted by Lamia Mcpherson, UAE on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 14:42 UAE time
You don’t have to cut trees to make paper. It is possible to make paper from the fiber of thousands of plant varieties; some are more suitable than others. Pampas Grass, Corn, Iris, Papyrus, they are all perennials and most of them grow extremely fast.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to use plants for making paper with the idea of layering strips of a wetland plant (papyrus, from which the word paper is derived) and pounding them together to make flat sheets.
Making paper should be included in the schools’ curricula, as in the classroom it is easy to do and can inspire explorations across the curriculum. For instance, it fits nicely with a recycling theme because the easiest method of making it is to start with scrap paper that has already served its purpose.
I would like to congratulate the Abu Dhabi Emirates for pioneering this project and I hope they’ll make the public transport system green energy dependent
Paper vs Plastic
Posted by Christian, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 13:29 UAE time
Dear Freinds,
No paper bags also a agree. Bio degratable plastic (Made of potato, corn starch or other products. and most off all you Payyyyyyyyyyy re use bags as in carefour this is it!
Posted by Christian, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 13:29 UAE time
Dear Freinds,
No paper bags also a agree. Bio degratable plastic (Made of potato, corn starch or other products. and most off all you Payyyyyyyyyyy re use bags as in carefour this is it!
Plastic Bags
Posted by Roger, DXB on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 11:40 UAE time
Paper bags also harm the environment (maybe worse than plastic). Paper bags cause the destruction of trees (not in great supply in the UAE) Plastic is a petrochemical product (Plentiful in the UAE). The solution is to educate the UAE residents to cleanup and not litter our roads and beaches with paper or plastic.
Posted by Roger, DXB on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 11:40 UAE time
Paper bags also harm the environment (maybe worse than plastic). Paper bags cause the destruction of trees (not in great supply in the UAE) Plastic is a petrochemical product (Plentiful in the UAE). The solution is to educate the UAE residents to cleanup and not litter our roads and beaches with paper or plastic.
Well said Chris
Posted by Ali, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 10:31 UAE time
I cant believe Chris was the first person to point out that paper bags also have an environmental cost in the form of chopped trees and the vast amount of water needed in paper making process.
The main fault lies with people who throw plastic bags carelessly, they are often the same ones who throw their cigarettes from their car. Its an attitude to blame, so the message we get is that its ok to litter, so continue doing so with paper bags.
Posted by Ali, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 10:31 UAE time
I cant believe Chris was the first person to point out that paper bags also have an environmental cost in the form of chopped trees and the vast amount of water needed in paper making process.
The main fault lies with people who throw plastic bags carelessly, they are often the same ones who throw their cigarettes from their car. Its an attitude to blame, so the message we get is that its ok to litter, so continue doing so with paper bags.
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