Mashable: The ban is a part of a wider initiative to protect the environment and reduce waste

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has implemented its ban on single-use plastic bags from today. This initiative is taken to encourage the use of reusable products.

The ban is effective as of today that is, Wednesday, June 1.

In March 2020, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched the Single-Use Plastic Policy. The single-use plastic ban directive was announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on April 6.

EAD is also planning to implement measures to reduce demand for 16 single-use plastic products including cups, lids, stirrers, straws, plastic bottles, cups, cotton buds, food containers, sweet wrappers, crisp packages, wet wipes and sanitary items, cigarette butts, balloons, sticks for balloons, and microbeads.

For now, the ban is only for single-use plastic shopping bags. The plastic bags that are exempted include, bags designated to carry medicines in pharmacies; plastic bag rolls for vegetables, meat, fish, chicken, grains, and bread; large shopping bags designed to carry fashion products, electronic gadgets, and toys; various types of waste packets; bags that are meant to carry postal parcels, magazines, and newspapers; laundry bags; bags that are used to transport plants and flowers.

Meanwhile, Dubai has also introduced a mandatory charge of 25 fils per plastic bag starting today. This policy is designed to cut the use of plastic bags as Dubai is also planning to ban plastic bags in two years. The charge will apply in all stores, delivery orders, online shopping, pharmacies, and restaurants.