Dr Badr Al Harahsha, Director of the Centre, told Khaleej Times on Monday that the resolution has been submitted to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi for approval.

“If passed, the commercial shops will be granted a six month grace period to comply with the resolution. Plastic bags will be replaced with paper or cloth ones,” he said.

“Offenders will face a hefty fine 
of not less than Dh10,000.

“We expect the resolution to go into force next year.”

Towards this move, he said the government of Abu Dhabi will licence new laboratories on testing bags used 
in markets to ensure they are free of 
any hazardous materials harmful to public health.

“Plastic bags make up to 20 per cent of waste in Abu Dhabi emirate,” 
he said. In a later stage, he said producers of plastic bags will be ordered to make environmentally-friendly products. 

 adel@khaleejtimes.com