Dubai single-use plastic ban now in effect

Dubai introduced a ban on plastic items on Wednesday, as the city rolled out a phased plan to ban single-use items in an attempt to encourage an environmentally friendly lifestyle. 

Dubai initially began phasing out single-use items at the start of 2024, banning plastic bags with a thickness of less than 57 micrometres. 

The second phase implemented on Wednesday includes a ban on the following:

- Plastic stirrers

- Plastic tablecloths

- Plastic cups

- Plastic straws

- Plastic cotton swabs

- Styrofoam food containers

The third phase is expected to take effect in 2026 and will include a ban on single-use plates, food bowls, and plastic cutlery.