EA ensures robust measures against plastic pollution

Represented by Environment Authority, the sultanate commemorated Earth Day under the theme 'Planet vs Plastic' on Monday, highlighting its commitment to a future free from plastic pollution. The celebration was part of global efforts to raise awareness and foster care for Earth’s natural environment.

Oman has actively pursued initiatives to curb plastic waste, notably through the establishment of 18 plastic waste recycling plants across the sultanate. These facilities are a core component of the country’s strategy to mitigate plastic pollution effectively.

Environment Authority (EA) has rolled out an ambitious project to catalogue all economically valuable waste types, including plastics. A newly introduced electronic system now records and tracks waste from generation to recycling or final disposal, signalling a move towards a circular economy.

In its rigorous pursuit to uphold environmental integrity, EA has implemented mechanisms to monitor and enforce policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution. Regular monitoring of entities handling plastic waste ensures compliance, with stringent financial penalties levied on violators under the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Law.

Further enhancing its environmental strategies, the authority promotes the segregation of plastic waste at source. This practice not only facilitates recycling processes but also extends the recyclable life of plastics, preventing contamination and degradation from other waste types.

A significant policy shift will see the ban of all plastic shopping bags by January 2027, implemented in phases to ensure thorough adherence to national action plans for managing plastic products and waste. Additionally, EA has issued regulations to ban the import of plastic bags, a move aimed at bolstering local environmentally friendly manufacturing and waste recycling industries. In conjunction, a regulation governing the export of certain recyclable waste types, including plastics, has been enacted to support the local recycling sector’s stability and sustainability.

Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to terrestrial and aquatic environments, contributing to the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity.