The Georgian government plans to ban the sale of beverages in plastic bottles in markets, starting next year. Solomon Pavliashvili, Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture, told TV-program Business Partner that the measure is part of a phased approach to reduce plastic use, giving businesses time to adjust.
The ban will not apply to edible oils or water sold in bottles over 10 liters. All other beverages in plastic bottles will be prohibited in local markets, though exports are exempt. Pavliashvili emphasized that alternatives, such as canned beverages, are already available and that public awareness is key to the initiative’s success.
The new regulation may initially increase prices, but long-term costs are expected to decrease, as reusable containers will replace single-use plastic. This is in line with prior steps that already restricted single-use plastic production, import, and use in food service since January.
Future stages include restricting plastic in government purchases from April and plastic use in hotels, restaurants, and food service starting July. The final phase will be the ban on beverage sales in plastic bottles in markets, likely from February next year.
