A total phase-out of plastic shopping bags in the UAE has been endorsed in a UAE Cabinet decree.

Over the next three years, the Ministry of Environment and Water will educate consumers to use alternatives.

Substitutes such as jute, paper or biodegradable plastic bags are options being looked into by the Ministry, and they will have to be used by 2012.

this is definitely some initiative that should spread around not only the united arab emirates but the e.g. thailand or asean countries as well... you go into a convenience store and get your one item that's already packaged in a bag placed into two (!) bags...