Dubai has banned the use of single-use plastic bags since January 1, 2024. The decision, which came into effect by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, aims to promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle, encourage businesses to use recycled products and promote a sustainable local recycling and recycling circular economy. It is understood that the resolution applies to single-use and recycled products, including plastic and non-plastic products, covering food delivery packaging materials, fruit and vegetable packaging, thick plastic bags, plastic bottles, snack bags, wipes, balloons and balloon sticks. The plastic restriction order will be promoted in stages: ◆ From January 1, 2024: Applicable to disposable plastic bags. ◆ From June 1, 2024: non-plastic disposable products will be included in the scope of the ban. ◆ From January 1, 2025: Single-use plastic products, including plastic mixers, table sets, cups, styrofoam food containers, plastic straws and plastic cotton swabs will also be banned. ◆ From January 1, 2026: It will be expanded to other disposable plastic products, including plastic plates, plastic food containers, plastic tableware, beverage cups and their plastic LIDS. Films used for food packaging are not included in the prohibited scope The plastic limit today pointed out that will be used to carry meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, public property, bread and garbage bags will not be included in the scope of disposable plastic bags. In addition, plastic bags made from recycled materials and plastic products exported to foreign countries are not included in the prohibited products. If companies continue to use single-use plastic bags, they will be fined 200 dirhams (about 388 yuan), and the fine will be doubled for each violation within 12 months, up to 3,883 dirhams. Recycle PET plastic bottles to make cleaning clothes Notably, the Dubai Government has also launched the "Net Zero Emissions by 2050" initiative to encourage the government and private sector to improve waste management, increase the proportion and quality of recycled materials, and promote sustainable development, circular economy and waste recycling. For example, the Dubai government has worked with the company "DGRADE" to convert plastic bottle recycling into cleaners' work clothing. It is understood that the project by recycling 3 million plastic bottles (about 60 tons of PET) to produce work clothing for municipal employees. Dubai will become the first municipality in the world to use recycled materials to produce valuable products for its employees. Set up 100 smart recycling devices for plastic packaging The Dubai Municipal Government has also placed 100 smart plastic packaging recycling machines in government offices and private enterprises, as well as sports venues, and designated 17 recyclable material collection centers for public use in densely populated areas. The Dubai government said that through smart recycling equipment and recycling centers, more members of the public can participate in the recycling of plastics. "These measures underline Dubai's commitment to reducing the impact of waste, promoting recycling and supporting a green, circular economy." Summed up by Dawud Al Hajri, Director-General of the City of Dubai.