Abu Dhabi: Over 172 million single-use plastic grocery bags have been prevented from entering the environment, according to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). The ban on single-use plastic bags was implemented on June 1, 2022, resulting in a daily saving of 450,000 bags.
In 2020, the EAD launched the comprehensive Single-Use Plastic Policy to reduce reliance on such items and promote sustainability and recycling in Abu Dhabi. Major retail outlets, including Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, and Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society, pledged their support for the policy on May 24, 2022. These retailers committed to eliminating single-use plastic bags by offering affordable alternatives and charging customers a minimum fee of $0.14 (AED 0.50) for each reusable plastic grocery bag.
As a result of these efforts, retailers have witnessed a remarkable 90 to 95 percent reduction in the usage of plastic bags. Previously, for every 100 bags used at cash counters, only five reusable bags are now taken by consumers. The success of the ban can be attributed, in part, to the Mission to Zero campaign. This public outreach initiative aims to achieve zero consumption of single-use plastics, zero waste, zero carbon emissions, and zero impact on biodiversity.
The Mission to Zero campaign featured various offline and online activities to engage the community, government organizations, businesses, retailers, restaurants, and youth. Outdoor advertising displayed dynamic visuals and catchy slogans on bridges, buses, and lamp posts, reaching an estimated five million people. The social media campaign alone garnered five million views.
To raise awareness about the adverse effects of single-use plastics and promote recycling, an SMS campaign was launched, targeting supermarkets, baqalas (small grocery stores), catering companies, and the general public. A total of 655,000 SMS messages were sent during the campaign.
The EAD also organized visits to baqalas by students to raise awareness and conducted 24 workshops attended by 4,142 individuals. Furthermore, the agency issued a guide called “Becoming Free of Single-Use Products: A Guide for Abu Dhabi Government” in June 2022. Fourteen government entities have already become free of single-use products, with more expected to follow suit.
Looking ahead, the EAD has announced upcoming initiatives, including a Bottle Return Scheme and a ban on Styrofoam products in 2024. These efforts demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution and promoting a sustainable future.