The Department of Municipality and Planning in Ajman has announced that a ban on the use of single-use plastic bags in all shopping centres and retail outlets in the Emirate of Ajman came into effect in January 2024.
Further, it shared that it will grant all parties concerned with sales a grace period of three months to start enforcing the decision and utilising eco-friendly bags.
A fee of 25 Fils will be levied on the bags, with the cost shown to the buyer.
The ban follows Ministerial Resolution No. 380 of 2022, concerning the regulation of single-use products in the country’s markets, and is in accordance with Federal Law No. 2 of 2018 on Integrated Waste Management, as well as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s (MoCCAE) initiative to make the UAE plastic-free.
“At present, the UAE is seeing the development of many eco-friendly substitutes that can be utilized when shopping, emphasizing the shift towards guaranteeing a steady decrease in the manufacturing and use of plastic bags and plastic products. This is to control the utilization of plastic products and single-use bags, as well as reduce plastic waste that is detrimental to the environment. Doing so contributes to enhancing sustainability”, commented Eng. Khaled Moeen Al Hosani, Executive Director of the Department’s Public Health and Environment Sector.