UAE Plastic Ban 2026: Phase 2 Begins January 1
The second phase of the UAE’s nationwide plastic ban will come into effect on January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced on Tuesday.
Under Phase 2, the import, manufacture and trade of a wider range of single-use plastic products will be prohibited. These include beverage cups and lids, plates, straws, stirrers, and cutlery such as spoons, forks, knives and chopsticks. The ban also extends to food containers and boxes made from Styrofoam.
Single-use bags will also be banned regardless of the material used, including paper, if their thickness is less than 50 microns.
Certain exemptions apply. Products manufactured exclusively for export or re-export are allowed, provided they are clearly labelled and not sold within the UAE. Bags and products made from recycled materials within the country are also exempt to support the local recycling industry. Other exclusions include medicine bags, garbage bags, very thin plastic bags used for wrapping fresh food such as meat, vegetables and bread, and larger shopping bags used for items like clothing, electronics and toys.
MOCCAE has urged all businesses, markets and suppliers to comply with the new regulations and support the UAE’s environmental sustainability goals.
The plastic ban was introduced in phases, with Phase 1 coming into effect on January 1, 2024, which prohibited the import, manufacture and trade of all types of single-use plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable ones.
