Dubai, May 15 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will start using biodegradable plastic bags by 2013, environment ministry officials said.

 
 According to the ministry, nearly 12 billion plastic bags are used every year in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, plastic makes up 19 percent of domestic waste.
 
 The UAE launched a nationwide campaign in October 2009 to reduce non-biodegradable plastic bags in four phases.
 
 This involved education and awareness at public and academic levels, finding alternatives to plastic bags and putting in place a legal framework. The final phase involves halting manufacture of non-biodegradable plastic bags by 2013.
 
 "All the plastic bags used in the UAE must be biodegradable from 2013. So all supermarkets, shops, manufacturers and suppliers, and the people using them should be made aware of this regulation," Mohammad Saleh Badri, a top ministry official, said.