

The total plastic ban to protect and conserve our environment will be fully implemented by 2027, with the latest stage expanding the ban to cover additional segments of the retail and food sectors.
Experts state that the ban on the consumption of plastic bags is a result of increasing awareness of the harmful impact of plastic and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices to help protect our marine environment for future generations.
Banning plastic bags is a step that most countries are taking to prevent further stress on the environment and it is great to see this initiative being adopted in Oman, according to Jenan al Asfoor, Marine Conservation and CSR Consultant at The Lighthouse Consultancy.
According to her, even plastic bags labelled as ‘biodegradable plastic’ still have a harmful effect on marine organisms as they break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by microorganisms living within the coral reefs, depending on the types of plastic used in manufacturing the bags.
The Environment Authority has issued a decision to ban the use of plastic shopping bags, with a timeline to reduce their use starting in July 2025 and ending in July 2027.

This ban includes fruit and vegetable shops, grocery stores, packaging units, candy factories, sweet shops, bakeries, gift shops and outlets selling bread, pastries and confectionery. Previously, the ban applied to pharmacies, hospitals and clinics from July 1, 2024 and was later expanded in January 2025 to include clothing, tailoring, eyewear, mobile phone, watch and furniture outlets.
“With the significant impact of plastic on our environment, it is very noticeable when it comes to the threat to marine life. During our dives on coral reefs in Oman, we encounter a lot of plastic waste, including plastic bags,” said Al Asfoor.
Plastic bags settle on corals and block sunlight from reaching them, preventing the photosynthesis process they depend on for food provided by symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae). This can cause the blocked coral to starve and die.
Furthermore, plastic pollution severely impacts marine life through entanglement, ingestion and habitat destruction. Animals can get caught in plastic debris, leading to injury or death, while ingesting plastic can cause internal injuries, blockages and starvation. Vital ecosystems like coral reefs are also damaged by harmful chemicals carried by plastic.
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