Dubai Airports Corporation has announced the ban on the use of single-use plastic materials at Dubai International Airport, as of January 1, 2020.
The Foundation said in a statement yesterday that "Dubai Airports" announced earlier this year that the "Dubai International" and "Dubai World Central" airports will soon be free of single-use plastic products.
She added that since the announcement of that initiative in June 2019, "Dubai Airports" has worked closely with more than 250 of its partners in the shopping and hospitality sectors, to fulfill its pledge by the beginning of the new year.
She pointed out that this initiative to get rid of plastic faced some serious challenges, given that more than 90 million passengers pass through the two airports annually, and consume daily tens of thousands of plastic materials such as water bottles and coffee cup covers.
According to the statement, the phased approach starting from January 1, 2020 will include the removal of plastic tableware such as drinking straws (plastic pipettes), ready-to-pack food packages and polythene bags from cafes, restaurants and stores at the busiest airports in the world.
During the next 12 months, additional products will be replaced in the public areas designated for customers, and the operating places designated for the workers of these facilities.
Eugene Barry, executive vice president of commercial affairs at Dubai Airports, said: “This commitment is another step in a long march towards an environmentally responsible airport. We and our partners, including international brands such as McDonald’s, Costa Coffee, and (Starbucks) are committed to removing single-use plastics, and also working to provide appropriate and sustainable alternatives. ”
The decision includes the removal of plastic cutlery, packaged food packaging boxes and polythene bags.