Shopping centers in Abu Dhabi announced that shopping bags, starting from the first of next June, will not be free, and will be replaced with environmentally friendly bags at a price ranging from half a dirham to 3 dirhams, according to their size and quality, in line with the entry of the decision to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has come into effect, while shoppers described the decision of shopping centers as adding financial burdens on families.
In detail, officials in shopping centers confirmed that, starting from the first of next June, the use of plastic bags for shopping will be stopped, in implementation of the decision of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, to ban the use of single-use plastic bags in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and these bags will be replaced by a number of environmentally friendly and reusable shopping bags. For reuse, their prices range from half a dirham to three dirhams, depending on the quality, noting that free paper bags will be provided for those wishing to use.
On the other hand, the pioneers of social networking sites circulated pictures of advertisements for canceling free plastic shopping bags, and offered alternatives to them with financial fees, describing the decision as carrying additional financial burdens, and they demanded the competent authorities to compel companies and shopping centers to provide alternative bags for free as part of their community participation in preserving the environment.
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi had announced that the use of single-use plastic bags will be banned in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as of June 1, 2022, based on the integrated policy for single-use plastics that it launched in 2020, noting that the implementation of this policy, which is the first Of its kind in the region, it includes the gradual reduction of single-use plastic products consumed across Abu Dhabi, and the promotion of the use of reusable products.
The authority is working on developing measures to reduce demand and increase the efficiency of consumption of about 16 single-use plastic products, including cups and lids, chopsticks and eating utensils, in addition to working to phase out single-use Styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024. This is in the context of promoting a healthy environment and a sustainable lifestyle for all, and to combat climate change by reducing resource consumption and reducing pollution.
