Sustainability Sharjah bans single-use plastic bags from January 2024 By Pramod Kumar August 24, 2022, 6:43 AM Creative Commons The Sharjah Executive Council’s decision aims to protect the environment from the dangers of plastic pollution Sharjah will ban single-use plastic bags and materials in Sharjah as of January 1, 2024, WAM, the UAE state news agency, reported. The Sharjah Executive Council’s decision aims to protect the environment from the dangers of plastic pollution and reduce the negative effects resulting from harmful practices. It will help organise the shift from the consumption of single-use plastic bags and materials and provide environmentally friendly alternatives. According to the decision, it is prohibited to trade, produce, offer or import single-use plastic bags and materials in the emirate as of January 1, 2024, provided that they are replaced with multi-use bags and materials with technical specifications and standards approved by the Department of Municipalities Affairs. Retail outlets will impose a charge of no less than 25 fils ($0.07) as of October 1, 2022, on each single-use plastic bag given to the consumer, in preparation for a complete ban on single-use plastic bags and materials in the emirate, WAM reported. Earlier this year, Dubai introduced a 25 fils charge for single-use plastic bags following Abu Dhabi banning their use in retail outlets.