Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Single-use plastic is gradually becoming a thing of the past in Abu Dhabi, thanks to a coordinated push across sectors, led by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).
This World Environment Day - observed today under the theme "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution" - Aletihad highlights Abu Dhabi's success in igniting a collaborative movement to eliminate single-use plastics.
The battle started in 2020 with the launch of the emirate's Single-Use Plastic Policy that formed the bedrock of a comprehensive, society-wide movement to reduce waste.
From the beginning, EAD has veered away from conventional top-down policy approaches. Rather than relying solely on regulation, the agency focused on public engagement, industry collaboration, and long-term behavioural change.
"We didn't wait to enforce and then explain," Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Integrated Environmental Planning and Policy Sector at EAD, told Aletihad in a recent interview. "We listened, engaged, and communicated before implementation. That made all the difference."
Before the policy was enacted, the agency launched public surveys, stakeholder workshops, and social media campaigns to gauge community sentiment and gather feedback.
More than 1,600 participants responded to an early-stage survey, overwhelmingly supporting action against single-use plastics.
This collaborative spirit laid the groundwork for a smooth rollout. "We brought retailers, plastic producers, and the public on board early. By the time the policy was launched, there was buy-in," Al Mazrouei said.
The numbers point to a decisive shift: Since the ban on single-use plastic bags came into effect, usage plummeted by 95%.
According to EAD, retail giants such as Carrefour, Lulu, AD COOP, Spinneys, Choithrams and ADNOC Distribution fully transitioned to reusable alternatives within the timeframe the policy had defined.
More than 97% of retailers now comply with the regulation of banning targeted single-use Styrofoam products, a success rate achieved through partnerships, not penalties.
"Our goal was never to punish. We work with the private sector, not against it," Al Mazrouei said. "We see them as strategic partners."
Bottle Return Scheme
In 2023, EAD launched the Incentive-Based Bottle Return Scheme, aiming to collect 20 million plastic and metal bottles in the first year. However, the results exceeded expectations sevenfold.
"To date, we've collected over 130 million bottles, equivalent to more than 2,000 tonnes of waste," Al Mazrouei said. "That's material no longer polluting our coasts but re-entering the economy through dynamic recycling."
With more than 170 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) now deployed across malls, cinemas, and supermarkets in Abu Dhabi, the programme demonstrates how community-level participation can significantly support sustainability targets.
"It's really amazing how society is racing with us in implementing and adopting this initiative. You can see queues in some places like shopping malls and cinemas, where people are lining up to put back their used recycled bottles," Al Mazrouei said.
Building on earlier measures, EAD enacted a ban on single-use Styrofoam items in June 2024.
As with earlier measures, the rollout was preceded by targeted communication, awareness drives, and site visits.
Compliance now exceeds 97%, but EAD isn't stopping there. The policy aims to eliminate 100% of single-use plastics from government entities in Abu Dhabi.
Environmental Impact
EAD's efforts have translated into measurable environmental gains.
Between 2020 and the end of 2024, an estimated 360 million single-use bags were avoided, equivalent to keeping around 2,400 tonnes of plastic out of the environment.
More than 130 million bottles were collected for recycling, diverting over 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste from landfills.
These efforts have also contributed to avoiding approximately 547,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of taking 130,000 cars off Abu Dhabi's roads for a full year.
"This impact is the result of one initiative," said Al Mazrouei. "Small changes in our daily lives add up to massive environmental gains."
Expanding the Movement
EAD is now preparing to align with a federal regulation by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment - set to take effect in January 2026 - which will target a wider range of single-use plastic products, such as plastic cups, lids, cutlery, plates, and food containers.
The agency is also exploring how artificial intelligence and circular economy models can be leveraged to make sustainability part of Abu Dhabi's broader economic diversification.
EAD's approach is rooted in the belief that meaningful environmental change starts at the individual level.
"I've had the same water bottle for five years," Al Mazrouei shared. "If I didn't use this, I'd easily go through 1,000 plastic bottles a year, just me."
Want to support Abu Dhabi's journey to zero single-use plastic? Carry a reusable bag, use a refillable bottle, and return any single-use bottles for recycling at collection points.
