United Arab Emirates: Shoppers surprised as single-use plastic bags are not available in some supermarkets – News

Shoppers in Dubai and Sharjah were shocked to discover that some supermarkets had suspended the sale of single-use plastic bags.

“When I paid for the products I bought at a supermarket in Sharjah city centre, I had no choice but to carry them to the car without the bag,” said Ahmed Abid, a Sudanese expatriate residing in Al Nahda, Sharjah.

In January 2023, the United Arab Emirates declared a complete ban on the use of single-use plastic items, including shopping bags, which will come into effect from January 1, 2024.

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, issued the resolution on Sunday announcing a ban on single-use plastic bags and products in the emirate starting January 1, 2024. The ban applies to using disposable and recycled products, both plastic and non-plastic, regardless of their material composition.

Shoppers were left baffled when they entered supermarkets to find a lack of single-use plastic bags, a common item in shopping routines, which cost Dh0.25 last year.

Abid had gone to the supermarket to quickly buy essentials, as he was expecting guests at home for dinner. “I had been to the supermarket to buy some juices and cakes. But the lady at the check-in counter mentioned that plastic bags were banned from January 1.”

Similarly, Muhamed Nael, a Jordanian expatriate, had been to Carrefour to buy his essential items. Without knowledge of the ban, he bought his monthly groceries, “but he did not have bags to carry the purchased items. The cheaper bags on the counter were no longer on sale and I had to buy a reusable bag for Dh2.50,” Nael said.

“I will keep these bags in my car and use them whenever I go shopping,” Nael added.

Krishna Kondattam, an Indian expatriate working at a multinational in Dubai, was shopping at a gift center and was surprised to discover that the stores no longer offered single-use plastic bags. “I always carry bags when I shop. This was the first time in the last nine months that I walked into a supermarket without reusable bags,” Kondattam said.

“I had to walk to my car to pick up the bags and then take the purchased items with me. “It is really a great initiative and people will now learn to carry their own suitcases.”

Stores put up notices

Shops at gas stations in Dubai have put up a notice that plastic bags will not be sold and stock will be removed from the counter. “An alternative bag will be provided according to the instructions of the authorities,” reads a sign at one of the gas stations.

Some gas stations had also shown news of Khaleej Times on the ban on single-use plastics. Zoom attendees at Oud Metha said they were giving away more than 200 bags daily and for now people are taking the items directly to their car. “We are waiting for instructions from management on alternatives,” the manager said.

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