Starting January 1st 2025, Dubai’s big plastic ban is officially in full swing—and it’s going to change the way you order your takeaway.
If you’re grabbing your morning matcha latte, things are about to look a little different.
Everything from takeaway beverages to plastic bags is set to change.
Gone are the days of plastic straws, cups, stirrers, and even those handy plastic food containers you love for your late-night kebabs. The ban, which started with single-use plastic bags in the summer, now includes a whole range of products.
This move is all part of Dubai’s plan to encourage a more eco-friendly lifestyle and protect the environment. The ban is rolling out in three phases, with the first one hitting at the start of this year. Here’s what’s no longer up for grabs:
- Plastic straws
- Plastic stirrers
- Plastic cups
- Styrofoam food containers
- Plastic cotton swabs
- Plastic table covers
The shift means your daily takeaway or online order will come with some eco-conscious upgrades. Expect your iced matcha latte to come with a paper straw instead of plastic, and a cardboard stirrer instead of the usual plastic one.
Styrofoam containers are already being replaced with more eco-friendly options like cardboard, and the same goes for cotton swabs—out with the plastic, in with bamboo!
The final phase of this ban will roll out in January 2026, hitting plastic plates, containers, tableware, and beverage cups with plastic lids.
Say goodbye to plastic waste, and hello to a greener Dubai!
