A cloud kitchen in Dubai that operates a zero plastic policy on packaging says the city’s move to start charging shoppers for single-use plastic bags is a great step towards helping to repair the planet.
On July 1, Dubai will introduce a charge of 25 fils for single-use plastic bags. The emirate's Executive Council said the charge would be applied in retail, clothing, restaurants and pharmacies, as well as on delivery and e-commerce orders.
The team behind Art of Dum, an eco-friendly cloud kitchen brand in Dubai, has been using reusable steel cutlery, clay pots and glass jars — which customers get to keep — for packaging since it launched in 2020.
We created packaging with a reusable concept in mind, so things like durable cutlery and glass jars
Sanjay Vazirani,
Foodlink
Sanjay Vazirani, managing director of Foodlink, which runs Art of Dum, said he hoped more businesses would start adjusting their operations to be more environmentally friendly to help the UAE and the world achieve its sustainable development goals.
“Art of Dum was conceptualised with the thought of sustainability and eco-friendliness in mind,” he said.
“For a long time we were toying with the idea of doing something which would show our responsibility towards good health and be good for the planet too.
“We created packaging with a reusable concept in mind, so things like durable cutlery and glass jars.”
Although packaging costs have increased “three to four-fold” since the decision to use alternatives to plastics, Mr Vazirani said establishing a brand that “does right by the planet” has helped them gain a good customer base.
The cloud kitchen, based in Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens and Karama, is a food delivery only service and uses 10 different eco-friendly packaging options for food, including a betel leaf plate, which is made with leaves from the betel-nut tree.
With a number of other food brands under the Foodlink umbrella, Mr Vazirani said the long-term goal was to operate all of its kitchens on a zero plastic policy.
Almost 300 million tonnes of plastic pollution are produced around the world each year, the same weight as all the humans on the planet, according to figures released by the UN Environment Programme.
Only nine per cent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills, dumps or the natural environment.
The UN says that if current trends continue, the ocean could contain more weight of plastic than of fish by the year 2050.
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
The biog
Name: Maitha Qambar
Age: 24
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Education: Master’s Degree
Favourite hobby: Reading
She says: “Everyone has a purpose in life and everyone learns from their experiences”
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
New schools in Dubai
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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SPEC%20SHEET
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE%20SPECS
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
