The introduction of a ban on the use of single-use plastic containers and cups in catering establishments has been postponed, according to Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
The ban on containers will take effect on January 1, 2027, while the ban on single-use plastic cups will come into force on July 1, 2027.
Earlier, the authorities postponed the introduction of restrictions on the production, import, and sale of beverages in plastic bottles by four years, pushing the deadline to February 1, 2031.
Under the original plan, catering establishments were to be barred from selling beverages in plastic packaging starting July 1, 2026, with their production also banned from February 1, 2027, except for products intended for export.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated at the time that the decision had been made following consultations with business representatives. According to him, the government remains committed to reducing plastic use while considering the potential impact of the new restrictions on businesses and consumer prices.
According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, plastic accounts for about 88% of the waste found in Georgia’s rivers, with single-use items making up a significant portion of it.
Plastic bottles account for approximately 41% of this waste.
