Dubai: Last Phase Of Single-Use Plastic Ban Comes Into Effect On January 1, 2026 Guidelines Issued

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

The final phase of the ban on single-use plastic products will come into effect on January 1, 2026 in Dubai. It will restrict a wide range of products, including plastic plates, cutlery - including chopsticks - and beverage cups and their lids.

To support the implementation, Dubai Municipality has prepared a comprehensive awareness guide on the regulation of single-use products. The guide is designed to assist targeted entities in identifying and transitioning to approved alternative materials in line with the resolution's requirements.

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In 2025, other single-use items such as polystyrene cups, plates, and containers, plastic stirrers, plastic cotton buds, table covers, and plastic straws were also banned.

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The first phase of the resolution came into effect on January 1, 2024 with the ban on single-use plastic bags, followed by the second phase on 1 June 2024, which extended the ban to all single-use bags.

According to Abdul Jebbar, Group CEO and Managing Director at Hotpack, these policies will push both Dubai and UAE to the forefront of best practices.“Following the announcement of the UAE regulations in 2022, we have worked closely in support of the various ministries to ensure that packaging solutions, covered by these new regulations will deliver long term sustainable solutions,” he said.“Packaging solutions will now focus on close loop products including those with recycled content.

He added that the company has been supplying packaging products to many markets sectors including hotel, hypermarkets, restaurants, and food chains.“We have worked closely with our large retail base to ensure that compliant products are clearly labelled, and certification is in place in readiness for the January 1, 2026 deadline,” he said.“We continue to enjoy an equal demand for products made with recycled content and ecofriendly solutions.”

Nationwide campaign

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) had also announced that the second phase of a nationwide campaign that prohibits the import, manufacture and trade of an expanded range of single-use consumer plastic products and bags will begin on January 1, 2026.

Experts say that with these regulations, the UAE is set to reduce negative environmental impact of a broad range of commonly used and littered products.“The future of plastics in the UAE means the conversation is no longer just about the elimination of plastics, but rather the evolution of local produced, plant-based, and biodegradable materials,” said François de Bie, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Biotech.“It signals to the market that functional, hygienic, and convenient packaging is still necessary, but at the same time focused on circularity and sustainability.”

In 2022, the UAE government implemented the Ministerial Decision No. 380 to reduce pollution created by single use products, and at the same time a decree that was set to drive sustainability and circularity. Following this, an executive council resolution was issued by Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to regulate the use of single-use products in the emirate.

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