Many UAE supermarkets replace plastic bags as the Abu Dhabi single-use plastic ban begins and there will be a plastic bag charge introduced on Friday July 1 in Dubai.
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To promote sustainability and reduce the use of plastic bags, Carrefour will offer natural starch bags instead of single-use plastic bags, while Spinneys will offer a reusable tote bag and 25 fils discount to shoppers bringing their own reusable bags, from Wednesday June 1. Waitrose & Partners UAE will also phase out all single-use plastic bags from stores and has introduced a line of reusable bags, starting Wednesday June 1 in Abu Dhabi and Friday July 1 in Dubai. See more about the eco-friendly alternatives below as UAE supermarkets replace plastic bags.
Carrefour
Shoppers will be able to get their hands on these specially designed starch shopping bags from Wednesday June 1 in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and they will be available to Dubai shoppers on Friday July 1.
The starch bags are said to take less than six months to fully decompose, which is far less than what plastic takes several hundred years to decompose.
Since the bags are plant-based, they do not decompose to form harmful substances unlike plastic bags, which break down into toxic substances.
In addition, Carrefour has a range of sustainable and eco-friendly bags for customers to choose from, including the reusable bags designed in collaboration with Emirates Nature – World Wildlife Fund, priced at Dhs11.50 each.
The move is aimed at eliminating plastic from all Carrefour checkout counters.
Spinneys
Spinneys is set to eliminate all single-use bags from check-out counters starting June 1 in Abu Dhabi, and July 1 in Dubai.
Spinneys will offer a reusable tote bag made from upcycled single-use Spinneys bags and sustainably sourced cork leather to promote sustainable shopping.
In partnership with Peahead Eco, a local award-winning sustainable artist, Spinneys has designed a limited-edition shopper, which will be available in select stores across the country starting today.
In addition, Spinneys will offer a 25 fils discount to any shopper who brings reusable bags to carry groceries, as opposed to charging 25 fils per disposable plastic bag.
Waitrose
Waitrose & Partners UAE plans to phase out all single-use bags irrespective of material.
While the first step of the elimination plan replaces plastic bags with paper bags, eventually even those will be completely replaced with reusable alternatives.
As opposed to the 25 fils charge for every single-use bag, Waitrose (like Spinneys) will also offer a 25 fils discount to any shopper who brings reusable bags.
Waitrose & Partners UAE has launched a line of reusable bags starting at Dhs3.50 that can be bought in stores and online, including a designer bag by local designer Huda Al Nuaimi.
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