Packaging rule · United Arab Emirates · Ban
Dubai single-use products regulation, final phase
Ban covering plastic, single-use plastic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, set by Dubai Executive Council; Dubai Municipality. Applies since 1 January 2026.
The rule
Recorded from the official source named below. Rates and dates are as the source states them on the date it was consulted.
- Jurisdiction
- United Arab Emirates · Dubai
- Authority
- Dubai Executive Council; Dubai Municipality
- Rule type
- Ban
- Materials
- Plastic, Single-use plastic
- Status
- In force Enacted
- Adopted or published
- 1 January 2026
- Applies from
- 1 January 2026
From the source“Measure aligns with UAE Cabinet Resolution No. (380) of 2022 regulating single-use products nationwide.”
Official source Dubai Municipality: final phase of single-use plastic ban from 2026Official (government or regulator) · published 24 December 2025 · consulted 13 October 2026
Key dates
Source published 9 months ago
Adopted or published 9 months ago
Applies from 9 months ago
Source consulted by the SPI team today
What it means
SPI analysis Our reading of the official source above. Not legal advice; always rely on the official text.
SPI summary
Under Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023, aligned with Cabinet Resolution No. 380 of 2022, Dubai bans single-use plastic plates, cutlery (including chopsticks), cups and lids from 1 January 2026. Earlier phases covered single-use plastic bags from 1 January 2024, all single-use bags from 1 June 2024, and items such as polystyrene food containers, straws and stirrers from 1 January 2025.
In practice
From 1 January 2026, the final phase of Dubai's single-use products regulation bans single-use plastic plates, plastic cutlery including chopsticks, and plastic beverage cups and their lids. It follows bans on single-use plastic bags (1 January 2024), all single-use bags (1 June 2024), and polystyrene cups, plates and containers, straws, stirrers, cotton buds and table covers (1 January 2025). Foodservice packaging suppliers and brands serving Dubai outlets need alternative materials; Dubai Municipality has published an awareness guide on approved alternatives.
Who is in scope
- Single-use plastic plates, cutlery including chopsticks, and plastic beverage cups and lids from 1 January 2026; the list is 'including, but not limited to'
- Items banned in earlier phases: single-use bags, polystyrene cups, plates and containers, plastic straws, stirrers, cotton buds and table covers
- 'Targeted entities' in Dubai, which the page does not define
Who is not
- No exemptions are stated on the Dubai Municipality page
What to do and by when
- NowCheck Dubai product ranges for plastic plates, cutlery, cups and lids, and polystyrene foodservice items.
- NowMap alternatives against Dubai Municipality's awareness guide on approved materials.
- NowCheck whether UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 380 of 2022 sets wider requirements for other Emirates.
Related rules
- PR-EU-014 SUP Directive: ban on single-use plastic cutlery, plates, straws and EPS containers
EU SUP Directive ban on plastic cutlery, plates, straws and EPS containers. - PR-IN-004 Ban on identified single-use plastic items
India's ban on identified single-use plastic items, including plates, cups and cutlery. - PR-GB-006 England ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene food containers
England's ban on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene containers. - PR-CA-001 Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SOR/2022-138)
Canada's single-use plastics prohibition, a comparable federal item ban.
Where the record is unclear
- The page does not define which entities must comply, state exemptions or describe penalties.
- The adoption date and full text of Executive Council Resolution No. 124 of 2023 and the detail of Cabinet Resolution No. 380 of 2022 were not reviewed.
- The item list is non-exhaustive ('including, but not limited to').
Sources for this note
- Dubai Municipality: final phase of single-use plastic ban from 2026 (24 December 2025) Consulted 13 October 2026
Note written by the SPI team on 13 October 2026.
Where it sits in the tracker
- One of 1 packaging rules we track in the United Arab Emirates, of which 1 are ban rules.
- In all, 17 ban rules are tracked across 11 jurisdictions. Compare them below
Company profiles that map to this rule
Companies whose SPI profile lists this rule in its regulatory exposure, based on where they report selling. Not company-reported.
Change history
Sourced: an SPI analyst recorded the facts above from the official source. A second SPI team member has not re-checked it yet. Every change is logged here.
Changed: SPI summary, source date
Verified by a second SPI team member
Added to the tracker
Spotted an error? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com quoting PR-AE-001 and the source. Corrections are logged in this history.
Ban rules elsewhere
The same type of rule for the same materials in other jurisdictions, by the date it applies.
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