Nino Meladze, the CEO of "Lunch Group," warns that the ban on single-use plastic utensils is presenting significant financial and logistical challenges for businesses. She explained that many companies are left with large stocks of plastic items in their warehouses following the implementation of the ban.
Meladze also drew attention to the high production cost of eco-friendly alternatives. For instance, while a plastic cup once cost 1 tetri, a paper cup now costs around 5 tetri. She noted that the situation is further complicated by global logistical issues, which have increased the cost of raw material imports, particularly from China.
“I personally manufacture paper cups, including those for dispensers, and the price difference is substantial. Not everyone can afford it. If a plastic cup cost 1 tetri for dispensers, a paper cup now costs 5 tetri," Meladze stated. "On top of that, the cost of importing raw materials has doubled, and delivery times have increased from two months to three or more. Fuel and electricity prices have also gone up, and this all affects the final cost of the cups."
According to Meladze, to keep production running and avoid halting operations, the required budget has increased dramatically—from $100,000 to $500,000. She also noted that the volume of production is now lower than it would have been with plastic cups. Meladze believes that recycling plastic products would have been a better solution than the outright ban. She notes that, like the ban on plastic bags, the ban on plastic cups may eventually be reversed, as the market would demand a return to these products.
