Get to know..the most frequently asked questions about the single-use plastic bag tariff in Dubai

Dubai Municipality has issued a guide on the tariff of single-use plastic bags in Dubai, which will be applied for the first time on the first of next July.

In its new guide, the municipality explained the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the tariff, to clarify all the details for community members before implementing the decision.

The most important questions included:

What are the specifications and quality of the bags covered by the decision?

The tariff will be applied to all single-use bags used to transport goods at the point of purchase according to the following specifications: Each bag with a thickness of less than 57 micrometers includes bags made of plastic, paper, biodegradable plastic and biodegradable vegetable materials

Does the store have to abide by the 25 fils per bag tariff?

All stores must apply a tariff of 25 fils for each single-use bag, and a different tariff can be placed on sustainable (reusable) alternatives if provided by the store.

Can paper bags be used as a free alternative?

The tariff applies to all single-use bags for transporting goods, including paper bags with a thickness of less than 57 micrometers, and stores are not obligated to provide free alternatives as the goal is to push a change in consumer behavior in order to preserve the local environment.

Is the tariff mandatory on the shops or is it optional?

The tariff is mandatory for all stores that use single-use bags to transport goods.

Is it possible to provide bags of other quality as an alternative to plastic bags?

Yes, but the tariff applies to the alternatives if the specifications match the single-use bags for transporting goods

When will the tariff be applied?

And when will the circulation of bags be banned in general?

The tariff will be applied starting from July 1, 2022 until the complete ban within two years.

Do I have a deadline to organize the work mechanism and cover the decision needs?

Yes, there is a period of four months for the application of the tariff, and then two years to ban the use of single-use bags. The prohibited goods will be determined at a later time.

How do I show the value on the purchase invoice?

It can be added like any other item recorded on the invoice at the time of purchase.

Is there a limit on the number of bags sold per consumer?

There is no cap on the number of bags sold per consumer, but we recommend that workers at payment points be trained to rationalize the use of bags when packing and delivering purchases.

Is the tariff calculated even if the consumer brings his own bags?

The tariff is not calculated if the consumer brings his own bags.

To whom does the transfer of revenues from single-use bags belong?

Devolution of revenue belongs to the private sector and we recommend that it be donated to support sustainable initiatives either through the company or through local environmental and community associations.

Why was a tariff imposed on single-use bags and what are the benefits of the decision?

Disposable cargo bags are a major source of litter and pollution in our environment.

These bags do not decompose until after a very long period of time, and are used only once - perhaps twice - before they are disposed of.

Most of them are used only once to transport goods from the store to the house.

For example, single-use bags take 400 years to decompose and thousands of years to reduce their negative effects.

A study from a local authority found that about 86% of the sea turtles that were found dead on the beaches of some emirates in the country had consumed plastic materials thinking they were jellyfish.

These cysts may also cause blockage of the digestive tract and the death of some animals, such as camels, goats and deer.

A study from the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi found that 50% of the dead camels had consumed plastic.

It should be noted that alternatives often have a larger environmental footprint than plastic bags, but they are easier to manage at the disposal stage and cause less environmental and health damage, provided they are used properly.

For example, the production of paper bags is also harmful to the environment and leads to the cutting of large quantities of trees and the consumption of resources and energy, and therefore its use also requires the payment of fees.

Single-use plastic bags have a lower environmental footprint than paper bags in the manufacturing stage, but their damages lie in the disposal stage.

We need to use paper bags at least three to seven times to have a lower impact on the environment than a non-recyclable plastic cargo bag.

What is the value of the bags tariff?

Is there a limit on the number of bags purchased?

The minimum charge for single-use bags is 25 fils and there is no limit to the number of bags purchased.

How will the purchase invoice show this tariff?

The bag will be recorded as a purchase item on the purchase invoice itself.

Is the tariff required if I do not need to buy any bags?

no.

The tariff is only for single-use bags for the transportation of goods that are taken from the store when purchasing the goods.

Are there shops or activities that are exempt from paying this tariff?

No, the tariff includes all stores that use single-use bags to transport goods, including, for example, retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies, e-commerce services and delivery services.

When will the tariff decision and the decision to ban the circulation of bags be applied?

The tariff will be applied starting from July 1, 2022, and the ban will be imposed after two years, and the prohibited goods will be determined at a later time.

Can I bring bags and bags to use instead of buying plastic bags from the store?

Yes, you can bring bags and bags to use instead of buying plastic bags from the store, and these are sustainable practices that are required to be adopted.

Is it safe to use reusable shopping bags?

Most of the multi-use shopping bags are made of materials that can be cleaned, washed and recycled

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news