— By Plasteurope.com correspondent — 

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has introduced a ban on a range of single-use plastics (SUPs), marking the final phase of a nationwide initiative first proposed by the UAE government four years ago.

In a statement issued at the end of last month, Dubai’s authorities confirmed the city was banning a wide selection of single-use plastic products, including cutlery, cups, plates, lids, and tableware.

According to the city’s head of waste strategy Mohammed Alrayees, the ban is “perfectly aligned with the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2041, which aims to achieve zero waste to landfill through innovative policies and community engagement”.

Describing the decision as a “milestone”, Dubai said the move builds on earlier UAE-wide restrictions covering polystyrene cups, plates, and containers, along with SUP stirrers, cotton buds, table covers, and straws.

The UAE pledged in 2023 to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Related: Abu Dhabi plans ban on SUP bags, phase-out of styrofoam containers

In January last year, the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment published guidelines to help businesses, stakeholders, and consumers navigate the transition away from single-use plastics towards more environmentally sustainable practices.

A nationwide ban on SUP bags came into force on 1 January 2024 and was extended to cover all single-use bags in June 2024. From 1 January 2025, further restrictions followed, including bans on styrofoam cups and food containers, plastic straws, cotton swabs, table covers, and stirrers.

Single-use items made from polylactic acid are exempt from the new rules.