Shoppers head to the malls with home alternatives
Plastic bag ban begins in Abu Dhabi
Society can take positive steps towards using reusable bags.
Photography: Najeeb Mohamed
Yesterday, shopping outlets in Abu Dhabi witnessed the start of implementing the decision banning the use of single-use plastic bags, and replacing them with multi-use bags.
The counters inside these centers slowed in movement due to inquiries from shoppers.
And shopping centers placed large-size signs on their fronts and at the main entrances, declaring that their stores were free of single-use plastic bags.
It also displayed, in prominent places, multi-use shopping bags of different sizes and prices, allowing shoppers to choose between them according to the size of their purchases.
The prices of the alternative bags ranged between 50 fils and 13 dirhams, depending on the type and size.
Yesterday, the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi organized a field tour of the markets, which included the Lulu branch in Al Mushrif Mall, Spinneys, on Al Muroor Street, and Carrefour, on Airport Street, in addition to the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society branch, on Al Muroor Street, to ensure the implementation of the decision to ban the use of bags. Single-use, and the availability of alternatives to prohibited bags.
Shoppers came with their own multi-use bags, to carry their purchases, in light of the need for many of them for the large-sized bags.
The Authority's Secretary-General, Dr. Sheikha Al Dhaheri, stated during the media tour that the retail stores that adhered to the decision and started implementing it constitute 71% of the outlets, adding that the authority will continue to develop alternatives in the coming period.
Al Dhaheri indicated the commitment of the major retail outlets in the capital, Abu Dhabi, to implement the ban on the use of single-use plastic bags, with the aim of providing a more sustainable lifestyle for citizens, residents and visitors in the emirate, pointing to the authority's realization that change takes time, and that society can take positive steps towards using Reusable bags to participate in providing a healthy environment for all in Abu Dhabi.
For her part, Acting Deputy Director General for Operational Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Dr. Maryam Hareb Al Suwaidi, called on consumers to interact positively with alternatives to single-use plastic bags, noting that plastic bags are made from non-renewable sources, and contribute significantly to changing Climate, soil and water pollution.
11 billion bags
The Secretary-General of the authority, Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, confirmed that the amount of single-use plastic constitutes 36% of the total global plastic production, which amounts to about 400 million tons annually, while in the UAE, 11 billion plastic bags are consumed annually (according to a report presented at the World Summit For governments in February 2019), equivalent to 1182 bags annually.
"This is a very high rate compared to the global average of 307 bags per person per year," she said.
The announcement came to emphasize the importance of joint action between the government and private sectors to address the challenges related to single-use plastics and their impact on the environment.
• Major retail outlets are committed to implementing the ban.
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