UAE retailers look at providing single-use plastic alternatives to shoppers

UAE retailers look at providing single-use plastic alternatives to shoppers

Alternatives include jute bags, biodegradable bags, paper bags, recycled paper bags, cloth bags and starch-based bags.

Published: Wed 9 Feb 2022, 5:01 PM

More companies in the UAE have announced that they’re going plastic-free and are also looking at alternatives to single-use plastic bags, which are more sustainable and eco-friendly, after the Dubai government announced plans to apply a new tariff to limit single-use plastic in the emirate.

Starting July 1, 2022, single-use bags will cost 25 fils at stores across the Emirate. The tariff will apply to restaurants, pharmacies and e-commerce deliveries also.

Some of the alternatives to single-use plastic bags are jute bags, biodegradable bags, new paper bags, recycled paper bags, cloth bags and starch-based bags.

“We have introduced two new varieties jute bags and biodegradable bags throughout the LuLu outlets in the UAE and will also launch more options such as cloth bags. We plan to extend the use of biodegradable bags for the garbage also very soon because this is also an area of concern in terms of environmental safety. We are fully aligned with the government’s goal and vision to eradicate single-use plastic bags,” said V Nandakumar, director of marketing and communication at LuLu Group International.

Jobilal M Vavachan, CEO, Life