A Dubai-wide ban on single-use bags, including both plastic and paper, will come into effect from June 1 across retail outlets with stores not obligated to offer free alternatives.

The policy covers single-use bags for carrying goods and shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable carriers.

Civic body Dubai Municipality published an awareness guide that banned bags including biodegradable ones.

“Biodegradable bags require their recycling stations. If left in landfills, they leave behind small plastic particles (microplastics) which can be consumed by animals and in this way enter the food chain,” the municipality said in the guide, as reported by Khaleej Times.

Exemptions

Among the bags that are exempted from the policy are:

Bread bags
Bags used for products packaged online
Trash bin liners
Wrapping bags for vegetables, meats, fish, and chicken
Laundry bags
Electronic device bags
Garbage bags
Grain bags

Penalties

A financial penalty of Dh200 will be applied for non-compliance with the policy.

It will be doubled in case of a repeated offence, with the fine capped at Dh2,000.

It is “aimed at individuals, public sector entities, private businesses, corporations, and institutions”.