Starting February 1, 2027, Georgia will ban the production, import, and sale of food products packaged in plastic, expanding beyond the previous restriction on plastic beverage bottles. Exceptions will include sunflower oil and drinking water in containers of 10 liters or more, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture said.
Before that, the hospitality sector will face restrictions: from July 1, 2026, restaurants and cafes will no longer be allowed to serve food in plastic containers. The ministry consulted with private sector representatives, including beverage producers and business associations, to present the phased implementation plan.
Georgia’s approach combines phased product bans with regulatory and institutional mechanisms rather than following a specific foreign model. The first stage of the policy is already in force: since January 1, single-use plastic items such as cutlery, plates, straws, and certain polystyrene containers are banned, with a three-month transitional period for products already on the market.
From April 1, most government agencies will also be barred from purchasing plastic cups, containers, and bottles up to 3 liters. The ministry says the overarching goal of these measures is to significantly reduce plastic pollution, while businesses await further guidance on implementation and transitional rules.
