Despite the ban, plastic cutlery is still on the market

Monitoring by the Emirates Today newspaper showed that some sales outlets, supermarkets, and grocery stores continue to display single-use consumer plastic products, including plastic tableware, despite the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announcing the start of the second phase of implementing Ministerial Resolution No. (380) of 2022, starting from January 1, 2026, which prohibits the import, production, or circulation of these products.

The ban included a specific list of single-use products, namely cups for refreshments and their lids, tableware (spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks), plates, straws, stirrers, and food containers and containers made of Styrofoam. The decision also included a comprehensive ban on “single-use bags,” regardless of the materials they are made of, including paper, if their thickness is less than 50 microns, starting from the same date.

At a time when the Ministry called on all establishments, markets and suppliers to fully comply with the provisions of the decision and contribute effectively to achieving the state’s environmental goals, Emirates Today contacted a number of sales outlets to obtain a response on the matter, but they preferred not to respond.

In turn, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment reported that some cases of non-compliance had been observed, for a number of sales outlets and establishments, with the decision to activate the second phase of the ban on the import and circulation of “consumer plastic products and single-use bags.”

Cases of non-compliance

In detail, monitoring by the Emarat Al-Youm newspaper showed that some sales outlets, supermarkets, and groceries continued to display single-use consumer plastic products, including plastic cutlery.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment reported that some cases of non-compliance were observed by a number of sales outlets and establishments with the decision to activate the second phase of the ban on the import and circulation of “consumer plastic products and single-use bags,” which entered into force at the state level, as of January 1, 2026, during the initial stages of implementation.

The Ministry explained, in special statements to Emirates Today, that monitoring some cases of non-compliance is expected when implementing any new legislation on a large scale, pointing out that the most prominent challenges facing implementation are the varying level of readiness of some establishments, and the need for greater awareness of prohibited and excluded products.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that the continued availability of some of the products included in the ban in a limited number of sales outlets is not considered among the prescribed exceptions, but rather is classified as cases of non-compliance that are monitored as part of oversight and inspection work, and this is sometimes due to previous stock, or a delay in compliance from some establishments, stressing that these cases are dealt with in coordination with the competent local authorities to take the necessary measures.

Regarding the monitoring, follow-up and control mechanisms adopted by the Ministry, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment explained that it relies on an integrated system that includes continuous coordination with the local authorities concerned with monitoring and inspection, in addition to following up on incoming reports and complaints, and implementing awareness campaigns in support of the legislation. The Ministry also plays its role in monitoring and evaluation, and submitting observations to the competent authorities, to ensure compliance at the state level.

The Ministry confirmed that coordination is being carried out with the competent local authorities regarding inspection work and controlling violations through official channels and periodic meetings with the relevant local authorities in the various emirates of the country, with the aim of unifying legislative understanding, exchanging information, and enhancing the integration of roles, stressing that the local authorities are responsible for field inspection and controlling violations.

Regarding the procedures and penalties imposed on non-compliant parties, she confirmed that the penalties are applied in accordance with what is stipulated in the legislation and regulations in force with the competent local authorities in each emirate, and may include: warnings, financial fines, or corrective measures, and they vary according to the type, seriousness, and frequency of the violation, in order to achieve deterrence and ensure compliance.

The Ministry noted that it is continuously working to issue the necessary clarifications to markets and consumers, in cooperation with local authorities, in order to clarify the scope of the ban, the excluded products, and the mechanism for distinguishing between them, which contributes to raising the level of awareness and enhancing compliance with the legislation.

Advance preparation

For his part, the CEO of Union Coop, Mohammed Al Hashemi, said: “The ministerial decision applies to everyone, and we are committed to it. It was implemented in our sales outlets with the entry into force, and all materials covered by the decision were withdrawn.”

Al Hashemi added to Emirates Today: “We were preparing for the decision sufficiently before it took effect,” and continued: “In cooperation with companies and suppliers, we developed alternatives to the products that were withdrawn from the markets, and these alternatives were provided in our sales outlets before the decision began to be implemented, so that consumers would be aware of that.”

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Activate the second stage

The second phase of implementing Ministerial Resolution No. (380) of 2022 has begun, which prohibits the import, production, or circulation of a new group of “consumer plastic products and single-use bags,” as of January 1, 2026, in order to complement the system of environmental legislation that aims to protect the country’s natural systems and reduce the environmental impact of waste, in line with the UAE’s trends toward enhancing sustainability and quality of life.

The second phase includes a specific list of single-use products, namely cups and lids for refreshments, cutlery (spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks), plates, straws, stirring sticks, and food containers and containers made of Styrofoam. The decision also includes a comprehensive ban on single-use bags, regardless of the material they are made of, including paper, if their thickness is less than 50 microns.

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Specific exceptions to the ban

The decision to activate the second phase of the ban on the import and circulation of “consumer plastic products and single-use bags” included the existence of specific exceptions to this ban, including products intended for export, as the production of prohibited products is permitted if they are intended for export or re-export outside the country, provided that a clear label is placed indicating this, while prohibiting their circulation in the country’s markets. Bags and products made from recycled materials in the country are also excluded, in order to encourage the local recycling industry, along with medicine bags, garbage bags, and very thin bag rolls used. For keeping fresh foods, such as meat, vegetables and bread, and large shopping bags designed for fashion, electronics and toys.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in cooperation and coordination with its strategic partners, began implementing this decision gradually by activating the first phase as of January 1, 2024, and stipulated a ban on the import, production, or circulation of single-use plastic shopping bags of all kinds, including biodegradable plastic bags.

Mohammed Al Hashemi:

• We are committed to the ministerial decision, and it was implemented in our outlets upon its entry into force, and all materials covered by the decision were withdrawn.