Dubai Airports latest to ban disposable plastic

To minimize the use of plastic and create awareness about its harmful impact on the environment , Dubai Airports (DXB) has decided to ban single-use plastic or disposable plastic from January 1, 2020.

Single-use plastic includes plastic grocery bags, food packaging items, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery, and containers.

 Dubai Airports recycles over 43,000 tonnes of paper, glass and other waste every year. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia
Dubai Airports recycles over 43,000 tonnes of paper, glass and other waste every year. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

“At an airport that hosts some 90 million people per year, we believe we can make a tangible difference by eliminating single-use plastics in consumer spaces. Today we are making a commitment to work with all of our concession and hospitality partners to achieve that goal,” said Eugene Barry, Executive Vice-President, Commercial at Dubai Airports.

The process of eliminating disposable plastic  started last week when, on World Environment Day, Dubai Airports collaborated with over 106 businesses operating at DXB to highlight the impact of this move.

Dubai Airports recycles over 43,000 tonnes of paper, glass and other waste every year. Over the past six months alone, Dubai Airports collected and disposed of 16 tonnes of single-use plastic bottles and bottle caps.

Thirty-two countries around the world have banned at least some single-use plastics, the latest being Canada, which on Sunday pledged to implement the ban from 2021.