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.