When did Dubai's final phase of the single-use plastics ban come into effect?

Dubai's final phase of the single-use plastics ban officially came into effect on January 1, 2026.

What specific single-use plastic items are now banned in Dubai?

The ban now prohibits the import, production, and trade of plastic plates, beverage cups and lids, and single-use cutlery.

What are the consequences for businesses that do not comply with Dubai's plastic ban?

Businesses found supplying prohibited single-use plastic items face penalties under the established enforcement framework.

Home / Environment / Dubai Cracks Down: Final Phase of Plastic Ban Enforced

Dubai Cracks Down: Final Phase of Plastic Ban Enforced

20 Feb

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Summary

Dubai's final phase of single-use plastics ban is now in effect from January 1, 2026.
The ban covers imports, production, and trade of items like plastic plates, cups, and cutlery.
Businesses face penalties for supplying prohibited single-use plastic products.

Dubai Cracks Down: Final Phase of Plastic Ban Enforced

As of January 1, 2026, Dubai has fully enacted the final stage of its comprehensive ban on single-use plastics. This latest phase extends previous restrictions, now forbidding the import, production, and trade of a variety of disposable plastic items, including plates, beverage cups, lids, and cutlery. This policy directly impacts businesses in the food service, retail, and hospitality industries.

The implementation builds upon earlier measures from 2024 and 2025, which targeted items like plastic bags, polystyrene containers, straws, and stirrers. The current phase completes the regulatory framework established under Executive Council Resolution No. (124) of 2023 and federal laws, applying to all market participants from manufacturers to retailers.

This development necessitates significant adjustments for packaging suppliers, catering firms, and restaurants, requiring them to source compliant alternatives like paper or reusable systems. The ban reflects a global trend toward stricter plastic waste regulation and Dubai's commitment to advancing a circular economy within the Gulf region.

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