Major single-use plastic ban in Dubai starting January 2025

On the final day of 2023, Dubai announced a major phasing out of single-use products. In order to offer businesses enough time to prepare for the changes, the campaign is being conducted in three phases from that date to the start of 2026.

The changes are aimed at encouraging an eco-friendly lifestyle in Dubai, to try to protect nature and ensure sustainability. There is already an existing plastic ban on single-use bags. Bags featuring a thickness under 57 micrometers are banned across the emirate.

The second phase of the campaign is going to start from the beginning of January 2025. It shall mean no more plastic stirrers, tablecloths, cups and food containers made of styrofoam. You can expect your iced matcha latte order to change completely.

Hamdan bin Mohammed issues a decision regulating the use of #single_use_products in the Emirate of #Dubai

-Banning plastic bags in Dubai as of January 1, 2024, and single-use bags as of June 1, 2024.

– Banning single-use plastic products, as of January 1, 2025, including:… pic.twitter.com/ECQporC2vR

— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) December 31, 2023

UAE leadership’s deepening focus on sustainability

Styrofoam food containers are a classic for greasy late night food such as kebabs and burgers. In recent years, they have largely already been replaced by a cardboard or paper container in most places. But the upcoming ban is going to take care of the rest.

The third phase of the campaign is expected to be rolled out in January 2026. It shall see plastic plates, plastic food containers, and plastic cutlery completely banned across Dubai. These steps highlight the UAE leadership’s deepening focus on sustainability.

The UAE hosted last year’s COP28 Summit in Dubai, luring thousands of participants from more than 100 countries. Dubai’s decision to regulate the use of single-use products should be treated as a source of encouragement by other places.