Oman to ban import of plastic bags

The decision will come into effect in January

Omanis shop at a supermarket in Muscat. Mohammed Mahjoub / AFP Photo

Oman has announced that it will ban the import of plastic bags in three months' time.

Qais Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said the ban would be effective from January 1 next year.

Ministerial Decision No. 519/2022 states that companies, institutions and individuals are prohibited from importing plastic bags.

Breeching the ban will be punishable by a fine of RO1,000 ($2,597). The amount may be doubled for a repeat offence.

Oman’s Environment Authority introduced a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags on January 1 this year, with a minimum fine of 100 rials for offenders, and a maximum of 2,000 rials, the amount doubling every time the same organisation or person is found guilty of breaking the rule.

Single-use bags were replaced with thicker 50-micron bags, which are provided free at most shops.

Oman is one of many countries in the region working towards reducing its dependency on single-use plastics that are responsible for thousands of marine animals getting killed each year by ingesting plastic or getting tangled in it.

Shoppers pack goods into long-life bags at the checkout. Abu Dhabi's authorities opted for a total ban instead of a charge per bag.

Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, centre, white mask, secretary general of Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, visits Lulu Supermarket in Mushrif Mall on the first day of a ban on plastic shopping bags. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Long-life shopping bags made of jute and cotton on display at Lulu in Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi.

Signs at Spinneys on Abu Dhabi's Muroor Road inform the public that from June 1, 2022, shops cannot stock single-use plastic bags.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own but can also buy long-life bags in shops.

Exceptions to the ban include plastic packaging used to wrap meats and thin poly bags for vegetables and grains.

Supermarket staff pose for a photo with trolleys full of long-life bags.