Starting the new year, Dubai has banned single-use plastics including Styrofoam cups, plastic straws and table covers as part of its sustainability efforts. This follows last year's ban on single-use plastic bags.

Items banned include;

• Styrofoam cups and food containers

• Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton swabs

• Plastic table covers

The ban is part of Executive Council Resolution No. (124) of 2023 aiming to reduce plastic waste, boost recycling and encourage reusable products.

Businesses are already adopting eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo straws and compostable containers. By 2026, the ban will expand to include plastic cups, lids and cutlery.

Dubai’s initiative is about more than banning plastic; it's about changing habits and leading the way to a cleaner, greener future.