ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi began on June 1 to ban some polystyrene foam products as part of a larger campaign in the country to halt the use of plastic products, state news agency WAM reported.
The ban covers items made of expanded polystyrene, such as cups, lids, plates and beverage containers. It will apply to food containers used for immediate consumption, whether on-site or for takeaway, and those containing ready-to-eat products that do not require further preparation, such as cooking or heating.
Exemptions to the ban include products not designed for single-consumer use, such as large storage boxes and coolers as well as trays used for meat, fruit and ready-made dairy products sold in retail. Medical use items are also exempt.
Shaikha Salem Al-Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD), said that the aim of the ban was “to reduce harmful microplastics from entering the food chain, which can have detrimental effects on human health, biodiversity, and our natural ecosystems.”
She added: “We have been very selective in choosing which Styrofoam products will be banned to facilitate business continuity and comfort for consumers. All the products that are prohibited have accessible alternatives.”
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development will conduct field inspections to ensure the implementation of the ban across sales outlets and industrial facilities involved in plastic manufacturing.
The Abu Dhabi single-use plastic policy was introduced in 2020, and by 2022, a ban on single-use plastic bags was implemented in collaboration with retailers.
EAD, together with the government and the private sector, in 2023 launched reverse vending machines for single-use plastic bottles aimed at promoting a recycling culture. Efforts were also made to eliminate single-use plastics from government operations.