The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, or EAD, revealed the great success of the agency in the fight against plastic pollution. The achievements come after implementing its Single-Use Plastic Policy in June 2022. In the two years since then, the emirate has seen the reduction of single-use plastic bags by 95 percent and saved 364 million bags. This achievement translates into eliminating around 2,400 tonnes of plastic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 547,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 130,000 cars off the road for a year.
Secretary-General of EAD, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, said this achievement was made possible due to the collaborative efforts of the Abu Dhabi community. She noted that the community has demonstrated a proactive approach to reach ambitious targets set for protection of the environment and the mitigation of climate change. This change reflects an upsurge in cultural environmentalism, whereby shoppers now make use of an average 0.4 bags for each trip, from an earlier average of three. Meanwhile, in parallel development, reusable bag use exploded by 2,000%, from 603 units in 2022 to over 26,000 in 2023 for one major retailer.
There are also achievements in terms of recycling spurring off from the policy. EAD launched the Incentive-Based Bottle Return Scheme in 2023 using 150 reverse vending machines, smart bins, and door-to-door collection programs. Through these measures, the authority collected 130 million plastic bottles, with a sum of 2,000 tonnes of recyclable plastic or 80 truckloads full. The efforts are getting more momentum and 67 million bottles have been recycled in 2024 further adding to the circular economy of Abu Dhabi.
One of the major achievements in 2024 was the expansion of the emirate’s plastic reduction strategy to include Styrofoam products. On June 1, a set of Styrofoam items were banned, and it has been reported that 97% of retailers complied with the ban. This move is in line with the overall objective of the UAE to introduce a federal ban on Styrofoam by 2026. Retailers have been very supportive of the policy, providing consumers with eco-friendly alternatives and pushing for compliance.
This program received extremely positive feedback from the people. Surveys indicated that 84% of people are aware of this policy, and 82% of them reported having observed its benefits, which are cleaner beaches and waterways. The reduction in single-use plastics has also encouraged business growth, as 57 recycling companies have been formed since the inception of the policy. However, the number of single-use plastic manufacturers decreased from 110 in 2022 to 88 in 2023.
EAD’s work is not yet done. The agency foresees the end of 2024, with Abu Dhabi having saved over 400 million plastic bags and recycling 90 million bottles. This is part of a much broader strategy for sustainability and promoting environmental stewardship throughout the emirate.
With strategic partnerships involving entities such as the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and the retail sector, EAD has not only reduced plastic consumption but also cultivated a culture of environmental responsibility. It has been positioned as a global leader in sustainable development and waste management.