UAE Plastic Ban 2026: Phase Two Targets Single-Use Cutlery, Bags, and Containers from January

The UAE will roll out the second phase of its nationwide plastic ban on January 1, 2026, expanding restrictions to cover a wider range of single-use consumer plastic products. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced the next stage of the initiative on Tuesday, December 16, as part of the country’s long-term environmental sustainability strategy.

Phase two will prohibit the import, manufacture, and trade of several commonly used single-use plastic items. These include beverage cups and lids, cutlery such as spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks, as well as plates, straws, stirrers, and food containers or boxes made of Styrofoam. The ban is aimed at reducing plastic waste and limiting environmental harm caused by disposable products.

In addition, the regulation extends to single-use bags of all materials, including paper, if their thickness is less than 50 microns. This measure is intended to prevent the substitution of plastic bags with other disposable alternatives that still contribute to waste. The restriction on bags will also come into force on January 1, 2026.

MOCCAE clarified that certain exemptions will apply. Products manufactured exclusively for export or re-export outside the UAE are exempt, provided they are clearly labelled and not circulated within the domestic market. This exception allows manufacturers to continue serving international markets without affecting local sustainability goals.

Bags and products made from recycled materials within the UAE are also exempt from the ban, a move designed to support and stimulate the country’s local recycling industry. Additional exemptions include medicine bags, refuse bags, very thin plastic bags used for wrapping fresh food items such as meat, vegetables, and bread, as well as large shopping bags intended for items like clothing, electronics, and toys.

The ministry has urged all establishments, markets, and suppliers across the country to fully comply with the new regulations and actively contribute to achieving the UAE’s environmental objectives. Authorities emphasized that cooperation from businesses will be key to the successful implementation of the ban.

The second phase builds on the first stage of the initiative, which came into effect on January 1, 2024. Phase one prohibited the import, manufacture, and trade of all types of single-use plastic shopping bags, including biodegradable plastic bags, marking the beginning of the UAE’s phased transition away from disposable plastics.