Oman is moving into the next phase of its national campaign to reduce plastic pollution. From July 1, 2025, the country will implement Phase 3 of its ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, targeting a wider range of retail and food-related businesses.
This phase, announced by the Environment Authority, will concern:
- Fruit and vegetable shops
- Grocery stores and packaging units
- Candy factories and sweet shops
- Bakeries and outlets selling bread, pastries, and confectionery
- Gift shops
Businesses in these categories will need to replace single-use plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable cloth or paper bags.
Here’s a short recap of how Oman was implementing this ban since 2024:
- Phase 1 (July 2024): pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics
- Phase 2 (January 2025): textile stores, eyewear and mobile phone vendors, clothing and furniture outlets
- Phase 3 (July 2025): retail and food sectors
- Final goal by 2027: a full ban across all sectors
This gradual rollout gives businesses time to transition to sustainable alternatives while raising public awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic waste.
Under Decision No. 8/2024, violations of the ban come with financial penalties:
- Fines range from OMR 50 to OMR 1,000
- Repeat offences within a one-month period will result in doubled fines
The enforcement reflects the country’s serious stance on environmental protection and sustainable consumption. As Oman pushes ahead with its commitment to a greener future, more sectors are expected to adopt eco-conscious practices — bringing the nation closer to a plastic-free retail landscape by 2027.
