The United Arab Emirates’ government has announced a new ban on single-use plastic shopping bags that will take effect next year has been announced as part of efforts to reduce pollution in the oil-rich nation.
According to reports, the law would prohibit the import, production and circulation of such bags from Jan. 1, 2024 while a similar ban would apply to plastic cups, plates and cutlery from Jan. 1, 2026.
An important member of the oil producing states and the host of this year’s United Nations climate summit, the UAE has said it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
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Plastic bags are known as one of the most problematic kinds of garbage, polluting streets and waterways and harming birds and marine life.
Plastic takes decades to degrade and microscopic particles have been found inside the bodies of fish, birds and other animals.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, imposed a ban on single-use plastics in June, and the futuristic city of Dubai began charging around 6 cents for such bags in July.
Story was adapted from AP.
