Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates), 5 October 2023: Ras al Khaimah’s Environment Protection and Development Authority has announced a plastic bag ban will come into force on 1 January next year.

Under Ras al Khaimah Law No. 4/2023, the use and circulation of single-use plastic bags will be banned.

It means no single-use plastic bags will be allowed in the Emirate.

The ban will apply to all bags provided by stores, including grocery shops and bakeries.

The ban has been introduced in line with the UAE-wide blanket ban on single-use plastics announced earlier this year. The UAE-wide ban will mean the importation, production and circulation of these materials will also be banned.

Five other Emirates have announced bans or regulated the use of plastic.

The Abu Dhabi authorities have banned single-use plastics since 1 June 2022.

The Dubai authorities have been charging 25 fils per single-use plastic bag since 1 July 2022 and the Sharjah authorities have been doing the same since 1 October 2022. A complete ban will come into force there on 1 January 2024.

Plastic bags have also been banned in Ajman and Ummal Quwain this year.

The announcement by the Ras al Khaimah authorities means Fujairah is the only Emirate not to have introduced any measures.

In January 2026, the plastic ban will cover other products like cups, plates, cutlery, containers and boxes. This will include spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, straws and stirrers.

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