Page 148 - Sparklo PR Report - April 2025

Abu Dhabi is leading the charge with its plastic free initiative (all thanks to you) | Time Out Abu Dhabi
number of plastic bags distributed at the emirate’s cash counters. Prior to the policy’s implementation,
shoppers used three bags per shopping trip, but now only use 0.4 bags. This has also led to a 2,000 per cent
increase in the number of reusable bags in just one year, increasing from 603 bags in 2022 to 26,075 bags in
2023 at one of the emirate’s main outlets. We also recorded the recovery of 130 million plastic bottles, and an
increase in the number of companies concerned with recycling plastics in the emirate.

“Despite the decrease in the number of companies manufacturing single-use plastic products in Abu Dhabi –
from 110 in 2022 to 88 in 2023 – we witnessed the establishment of 57 new recycling companies working in
the emirate’s waste sector, which contributes to enhancing the quality of life and its sustainability, and
enhances the circular economy system.

“We are delighted, as the residents of Abu Dhabi made an effort to embrace reusable bags and return their
bottles to the Reverse Vending Machines for recycling, which has hugely contributed to our success. The
results of a survey we conducted indicated that 84 per cent of the public are aware of the policy and its
requirements, and 82 per cent said that the policy has a positive impact on quality of life, represented by clean
beaches and waterways.

“We could not have achieved our ambitious goals without the cooperation of our strategic partners, including
the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development,
and retailers, who have worked closely with us to provide alternatives to single-use plastic products, in
addition to helping us implement the ban on Styrofoam products.

“We are well on the way to having a positive impact on our environment as we reduce the amount of
microplastic entering our precious ecosystems and harming our species.”

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