Public has low awareness of UAE’s anti-plastic initiatives

Recent reports show that 8.3b tonnes of plastic were produced in the UAE last year

Low level of awareness among UAE residents about the government’s anti-plastic initiatives is a cause of concern, a new study says.

The survey, conducted by YouGov, showed that despite the government’s nationwide anti-plastic drive this year, only two out of five people in the UAE said they are aware of government legislation about discouraging plastic use.

The awareness seems to be the lowest among the younger generation (18-24 years) where little over a third knew of such legislation, emphasising an urgent need to create more awareness about this issue, especially among this demographic.

The research conducted with a sample size of 1,017 respondents during October also suggests that two out of three people in the UAE are concerned with excessive plastic waste leading to environmental degradation.

Plastic pollution is not just a hazard to public health but also a severe threat to the oceans and marine life. Recent reports show that 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic were produced in the UAE alone last year.

More than half (52 per cent) of UAE respondents showed great concern about the use of plastic in their city, especially those residing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Interestingly, a significant proportion of Asians (60 per cent) and those older than 40 (61 per cent) have expressed higher concerns about the indiscriminate use of plastic in their city.

The survey findings highlighted that once again the older generation is more alarmed about environmental degradation than their younger counterparts (18-29 years), with three quarters of respondents over 40 years pointing out their concern.

Plastics end up in the ocean and damage the marine environment. Close to two-thirds of respondents are concerned with excessive plastic waste leading to environmental damage.

“The low awareness levels among the population when asked about government policies discouraging plastic use is however a matter of concern,” said Kerry McLaren, Head of Data Services. “Not just the government, but companies, brands and the general public need to create awareness about preserving the environment and adapting a greener lifestyle.”