Single-use plastic ban goes into effect in Ras Al Khaimah

The emirate of Ras Ak Khaimah has announced that it is implementing a ban on single-use plastic bags starting January 1, 2024.

The emirate’s Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) announced the impending ban on Wednesday.

The announcement is in line with the UAE government’s initiative to eliminate single-use plastics which was announced earlier this year.

The EPDA law banning the use of single-use plastic bags has been brought under under Law No. (4) of 2023. This law prohibits the use, possession, trading, sale, or distribution of single-use plastic materials in the emirate, gradually starting with a ban on single-use plastic bags.

وفقاً للقانون رقم (4) لسنة 2023 سيبدأ تطبيق منع تداول الأكياس البلاستيكية ذات الاستخدام الواحد في إمارة رأس الخيمة #رأس_الخيمة_خالية_من_البلاستيك pic.twitter.com/sOQQoqN6zd

— هيئة حماية البيئة والتنمية في رأس الخيمة (@epdarak) October 4, 2023

Know where each emirate stands over single-use plastic

Five other emirates had earlier announced bans or regulated the use of plastic.

In Abu Dhabi, a ban on single-use plastics went into effect on June 1, 2022, while stores charge customers a minimum fee of 50 fils for each reusable plastic grocery bag.

Dubai has since July 1, 2022, implemented a fee of 25 fils per reusable plastic grocery bag.

Sharjah introduced a 25-fil tariff per single-use plastic bags from October 1, 2022, with a ban all set to go into effect from January 1, 2024.

Umm Al Quwain and Ajman have also announced a plastic bag ban from 2023.