ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi began on June 1 to ban certain polystyrene foam products as part of a broader campaign in the country to halt the use of plastic products, state news agency WAM reported on Saturday.
The ban includes items made of expanded polystyrene, such as cups, lids, plates, and beverage containers, and applies to food containers for immediate consumption, whether on-site or takeaway, as well as ready-to-eat products that do not require further preparation like cooking or heating.
Exemptions to the ban include products not intended for single-use, such as large storage boxes and coolers, and trays used for meat, fruit, and ready-made dairy products sold in retail.
Shaikha Salem Al-Dhaheri, secretary general of the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD), stated that the ban aims “to reduce harmful microplastics from entering the food chain, which can have detrimental effects on human health, biodiversity, and our natural ecosystems.” She added that they have been selective in choosing which Styrofoam products to ban to ensure business continuity and consumer comfort, noting that all prohibited products have accessible alternatives.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development will conduct field inspections to ensure compliance with the ban across sales outlets and industrial facilities involved in plastic manufacturing.
The Abu Dhabi single-use plastic policy was introduced in 2020, leading to a ban on single-use plastic bags by 2022 in collaboration with retailers. In 2023, EAD, together with the government and the private sector, launched reverse vending machines for single-use plastic bottles to promote recycling. Efforts were also made to remove single-use plastics from government operations.
