Starting July, shoppers in Dubai will be charged 25 fils to use single bags. In an update, the Dubai Municipality has clarified that the charge not only applies to plastic, but all kinds of single-use bags with less than 57 micrometers thickness. This includes paper, biodegradable plastic, oxo-plastics and plant-based biodegradable materials. The tariff applies to all stores that use single-use bags to carry goods, including, for example, retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, e-commerce services and delivery services. 

“It should be noted that alternatives often have a larger environmental footprint than plastic bags although they are easier to manage at the disposal stage and cause less environmental and health damage, provided they are used properly,” the Dubai Municipality said.  It has explained that the charges will be applied from July 1, 2022, while the ban will apply in two years. The items to be banned will be specified at a later date. 

The municipality also clarified that the tariff is mandatory for all stores that use single-use bags to fill in goods, and bags of another type can be provided as an alternative to plastic bags, but the tariff will be applied to alternatives if the specifications match single-use bags.  The policy does not include packing bags for vegetables, fruits, meat and fish, but only to those used for “carrying goods”.  

The stores are not obligated to provide free alternatives as the goal is to bring about a change in consumer’s behaviour in order to preserve the environment, the municipality said, adding that the shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags instead of buying bags from the store.