Restaurant Association co-founder Shota Burjanadze says the upcoming ban on using plastic packaging for food and beverages will significantly raise costs for food service businesses—especially those dependent on takeaway. He argues that Georgia should follow the same standards applied globally rather than adopt stricter rules.
Starting July 1, the scope of Georgia’s plastic regulation expands. Since April 1, the import and sale of plastic cups, plates, cutlery and other single-use items have been banned. From July, restaurants and food service providers will also be prohibited from offering drinks in plastic bottles or delivering food in plastic containers. Businesses will have to switch to aluminum cans or glass bottles.
According to Burjanadze, replacing plastic with alternative materials—many of which are significantly more expensive—will likely increase service prices by 5% to 15%, depending on how heavily a business relies on takeaway packaging. He emphasizes that the additional costs “ultimately fall on the consumer.”
Under government regulations, the first violation will result in a 1,000 GEL fine and product confiscation, while repeated violations will lead to doubled penalties. The rules will be enforced by the National Food Agency, the Environmental Supervision Department, and the Revenue Service.
