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28 March 2024

Ajman shops get time to switch plastic bags

Shoppers leaving a mall in the UAE. Use of plastic bags for shopping is under green scrutiny. (OSAMA ABUGHANIM)

Published
By Eman Al Baik

The use of biodegradable plastic bags will be mandatory all over the UAE in from 2012 as per the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Water, said Khalid Al Hosani, Director of Public Health and Environment Department of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department.

A number of manufacturers surveyed by Emirates Business said that their production cost will increase by 50fils per kilo – the price of the needed additives to produce biodegradable plastic bags. Some manufacturers will levy the increased cost on to their clients while some will bear it themselves.

Al Hosani said: "We have started the implementation of the decision to ensure that all plastic bag factories in Ajman are compliant with the decision when it will be implemented all over the country in 2012.

"This is because Ajman hosts a considerable number of plastic bags manufacturers – 25 factories supply the different emirates with plastic bags." The Municipality will start soft implementation of its decision No3 of 2010 issued by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality, from tomorrow. The decision stipulates Dh50,000 fine for violators.

However, upon the request of traders, four months grace period has been given to them and manufacturers and distributors have been given two weeks, starting tomorrow, to help them finish their stocks, said Al Hosani.

As per the specifications of the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), using certain substances in manufacturing plastic makes bags biodegradable within a maximum period of two years, said Al Hosani.

"Any increase of cost is not comparable with environment protection from plastic bags that need a long period and decades to pass to be biodegradable," he said. "Manufacturers, distributors and traders have welcomed the decision during a meeting held by the municipality recently," he added.

Parvez Siddqui, owner of Galaxy Plastic, said: "The decision is environment friendly and helps in saving our planet's resources for future generations."

He said the production cost will increase by six to 10 per cent and the problem was that the current economic downturn did not allow passing on of these costs to consumers who are demanding more discounts.

"The economic conditions and the decision prompted me to close the plastic bag production line. Previously, the margin of profit was very nominal and as I will not levy any increased cost on consumers, I preferred to cancel this line and focus on bottle caps line," he said. "In all cases, the decision is very good to protect the environment."

Saidur Rahman, Manager of Farhan Plastic Bag Industry, said: "The production cost will increase by 50fils per kilo, forming 10 per cent of the total production cost. The increased cost will be passed on to our customers. All our 15 permanent customers have agreed to buy one kilo plastic bags for Dh7 instead of Dh6.50. We have 11 irregular customers who always search for cheaper costs. We produce about 45 to 50 tonnes of bags monthly and distributed them all over the UAE. Twenty per cent of our production is sold in Ajman.

Rahman said the decision was good despite the increase in cost. Being prepared for producing biodegradable bags will help the factory retain 80 per cent of its customers, he said.

3d movie to highlight initiative

The Ministry of Water and Environment plans to produce a three dimensional animation movie to help the initiative of making the UAE free of plastic bags.

Khalid Mohammed Al Saedi, Acting Director of Awareness Department at the ministry, said the film aims at educating the young generation about proper methods of conserving natural resources. It will teach them how to be environmentally responsible. (Wam)

Additives brands approved

Two brands of additives have gained the approval of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department to be used for manufacturing biodegradable plastic bags, Shakul Rai, Managing Director of Ras Al Khaimah-based Excel International said.

'Reverte', made by Wells Plastics and 'd2w', which is distributed by Ecopolymers, Sharjah, are the two brands of oxo-biodegradable additives approved. Reverte is produced in the UK.