Kavan Choksi- Why Should Businesses Stop the Use of Plastic in the UAE?
The UAE declared a ban on single-use plastic in June 2022 to curb pollution in the region. Likewise, Dubai imposed similar legislation and a tax of 25 fils on them in July 2022 with a two-year ban on single-use plastic bags.
Kavan Choksi Speaks on The Rethink Plastic Project in the UAE
Business and finance expert Kavan Choksi is thrilled about the single-use plastic legislation and ban in the UAE. Abu Dhabi also declared a similar ban in June 2022 to encourage consumers to use reusable bags that are safe for the environment and its entire living species. Little do businesses and people know that plastic has significant detrimental effects on the environment, as it is not biodegradable?
The harm plastic causes to the environment
According to him, plastic is a long-term issue that needs to be arrested as its decomposition takes place for many years- even hundreds of years. Despite regular efforts, 91% of the plastic in the globe is not recycled. This plastic waste penetrates into the soil, and the ocean kills marine animals in large numbers as it festers everywhere, even in the human body.
Efforts have been on for the past ten years to curb the use of single-use plastic
Businesses and individuals should be reminded that many years of planning have gone into these efforts to improve the environment. The team present at Emirates Nature-WWF has been helping retailers and business corporations for the last six months with the Rethink Plastic Initiative, which enables businesses to reduce their dependence on single-use plastic and change the perception of people. For the team at Rethink Plastic, its partners, people, and organizations that have been working on this project for the past decade, the declaration of the ban on single-use plastic has invoked huge celebration and delight.
Businesses should step up to play an essential role in this plastic ban
He believes firms have played a vital role in using plastic in the environment. Approximately more than 20 firms are responsible for more than 50% of this single-use plastic waste in the world. Just like Rethink Plastic has made efforts to reduce this plastic waste to develop a circular economy in the region, he believes that businesses have a constructive and significant role in ensuring the planet gets a green recovery.
Charges for the use of single-use plastic bags in the UAE
According to Kavan Choksi, for being a part of this project, partners charge an extra fee for every bag, causing people to pause and consider whether they wish to use these single-use bags made from plastic again. The partners of the Rethink Plastic Project had a significant influence in the region with their plastic initiatives and their donations to the conservation programs under the Emirates Nature-WWF conservation programs that assisted their struggle against global issues like climate change.
He would like to congratulate and applaud these partners for making it easy for the retail sector of the UAE to spread awareness to consumers about the harm of plastic bags and create a roadmap to better sustainable consumption.