The UAE announced that its decision to ban single-use plastic bags will be implemented throughout the country, starting today, corresponding to the beginning of 2024, and for its part, it informed the sales outlets that it will gradually get rid of them completely, starting today, Monday, January 1, 2024.
The stores detailed their plans to carry out the decision by stocking a wide assortment of reusable bags in different sizes and price points.
"Carrefour will completely stop the use of plastic bags, by next Monday, January 1, 2024, in line with the state's decision to ban single-use plastic bags in... Markets at the beginning of 2024," stated Bertrand Lombe, director of the Carrefour retail chain in the Emirates at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.
"To reduce excessive consumption of plastic while ensuring long-term value, (Carrefour)offers a wide range of reusable bags at reasonable prices and suitable for all budgets," he added. The use of reusable bags in "Carrefour" businesses has increased by 87% since 2022, and the campaign also encourages customers to carry their own bags from home.
He emphasized that "Carrefour is one of the first retail stores to provide its customers with reusable bags, and it has also introduced many initiatives and products that contribute to reducing the use of single-use plastic bags," mentioning that over the past 15 years, the company has offered numerous eco-friendly alternatives. history, and since the first reusable bag shipment in 2007, we have been actively working to get the word out to consumers that they should stop using single-use plastic bags.
"This step is consistent with the comprehensive vision of (Majid Al Futtaim Retail), to achieve a more sustainable future, and with the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040," Lumby noted.
Speaking on behalf of Lulu Group International, Nanda Kumar, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, stated, "The group is fully committed to the initiative to completely ban the use of single-use plastic shopping bags in all of its branches in the country, by Monday, January 1, 2024."
"The group offers in its different branches, in collaboration with government agencies, various types of non-plastic shopping bags, such as cloth and multi-use bags. It also imposes fees on purchasing plastic bags, which has stimulated an increasing number of consumers to use non-plastic bags," he emphasized.
"The outlet, like other outlets, will stop using single-use plastic shopping bags, based on the government decision issued last year to ban their use as of January 1, 2024," stated Rajeev Tamara, an officer at a large retailer, in connection with the same topic. According to him, "The sales outlet has prepared by providing a range of reusable shopping bags, which are distinguished by a variety of sizes and prices, to suit the needs and budgets of families and individuals."
He went on to say that "this step comes within the framework of the UAE’s endeavor to establish a sustainable future in all sectors," and that the country was ahead of the curve in deciding to use sustainable solutions to curb the growing use of single-use bags in an effort to combat climate change and protect the environment.
The Emirates implemented a system to educate the public about the importance of sustainable consumption of single-use plastic bags after the number of bags used in the country surpassed 13 billion per year. They also used circular economy practices to deal with plastic waste, such as treating, recycling, and using biodegradable varieties.