The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced that 364 million single-use plastic bags have been eliminated since the introduction of a ban on 1st June 2022 under the emirate’s Single-Use Plastic Policy. This reduction is equivalent to 2,400 tonnes of plastic and 547,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases, comparable to the emissions from 130,000 gasoline-powered vehicles over one year.
In 2023, EAD introduced the ‘Incentive-based Bottle Return Scheme,’ in collaboration with partners, to promote the recovery and recycling of single-use plastic bottles. To date, over 130 million bottles, amounting to 2,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic, have been collected through reverse vending machines, smart bins, and door-to-door initiatives. This year alone, 67 million bottles have been returned for recycling.
On 1st June 2024, EAD expanded its efforts by banning specific Styrofoam products, achieving a 97% compliance rate among retailers. The Agency expects compliance to improve further by year-end. These measures align with the upcoming Federal ban on targeted plastic products, set to take effect in 2026.
“When we launched the Abu Dhabi Single-Use Plastic Policy in 2020, followed by the plastic bag ban in 2022, we aimed to lead the region in environmental protection,” said Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD’s Secretary-General. She noted a significant 95% reduction in plastic bag usage, adding, “Prior to the ban, shoppers used three bags per trip. Now, the average is 0.4 bags.”
The policy has also spurred a 2,000% increase in reusable bag usage and the emergence of 57 new recycling companies in Abu Dhabi’s waste sector. Dr. Al Dhaheri highlighted that 84% of surveyed residents are aware of the policy, with 82% reporting positive impacts, such as cleaner beaches and waterways.
EAD predicts that by year-end, the ban will have prevented over 400 million plastic bags from being used and facilitated the collection of 90 million plastic bottles in 2024.