Abu Dhabi says goodbye to single-use plastic bags – The National

Abu Dhabi says goodbye to single-use plastic bags – The National

In 2018 there were 474 supermarket or hypermarket branches in the UAE, according to Statista, an online data aggregator. Adding on top of that hundreds more service stations, malls and convenience and department stores, it is clear that, from tourism to the domestic market, retail is a key part of the UAE’s diverse economy.

Its importance to the markets also means it plays a part in the country’s wider priorities. Sustainability is a key one. Today, shoppers will start seeing how retailers, in conjunction with the government and consumers, are doing their bit to help the environmental goals of the UAE.

From today, Abu Dhabi will be banning single-use plastic bags. Instead, the purchase of affordable multi-use bags will be encouraged. In a month’s time, Dubai will introduce a mandatory 25 fils ($0.07) charge for single-use bags, too.