Oman bans single-use plastic bags

Muscat: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) has announced a ban on single-use plastic bags with fines of up to OMR 2,000 for violations from next year.

In its Ministerial Resolution No. 23/2020, the MECA says, "Companies and institutions are prohibited from using single-use plastic shopping bags to preserve the Omani environment." Article 2 of the resolution says, "Without prejudice to more severe penalties listed in the Environmental Protection and Pollution Prevention Law, a fine of no less than one OMR 100 and no more than OMR 2000 shall be imposed on anyone who violates the provisions of this decision and doubled in the event of a repeat of the violation."

This decision shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall be enforced from January 1, 2021.