Single-Use Plastic Is Now Officially Banned Across Dubai
The phasing out of single-use plastics was first introduced across the UAE in 2023 to reduce pollution and encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle.
As of January 1st, 2026, Dubai has officially rolled out the final phase of its single-use plastic ban, signalling a major step towards a zero-plastic culture. The final phase of the ban targeted everyday items like plastic plates, food containers, cutlery, and beverage cups with plastic lids.
Since 2023, Dubai and other emirates have been phasing out disposable plastics in stages, starting with plastic bag restrictions to a full ban on plastic straws as of January 2025. The ban aims to reduce pollution, protect marine life, and encourage businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives, with cafes, restaurants, and retailers already swapping disposable plastics for biodegradable or reusable options.
Some items, however, remain exempt from the ban, including plastics made from recycled materials, medicine bags, food wraps, and larger shopping bags for clothing, electronics, and toys.
In addition to the Dubai ban, a separate ban kicked off on January 1, 2026, across the entirety of the UAE, prohibiting the import, manufacture, and trade of single-use items such as cups and lids, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam food containers.
