Georgia to Gradually Ban Plastic Bottles

2026-03-13 - 10:55

The Georgian Dream government adopted a decree on March 12 that envisions a gradual ban on the production, import, and sale of plastic bottles, citing environmental concerns. In particular, from July 1, 2026, restaurants, cafes and other public catering establishments will no longer be allowed to serve drinks to customers in plastic bottles, and starting February 1, 2027, the production, import, and sale of drinks in plastic bottles will also be banned, except for export. Exceptions, besides export purposes, include plastic bottles of three liters or more for water and 20 liters or more for other drinks, including alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and soft drinks. The production and supply of drinking water for Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Defense Ministry, and military personnel are also exempt. “Plastic products, including those intended for contact with food, have a significant impact on the environment and natural ecosystems,” said the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, citing this as the reason for the ban. The ministry cited several nationwide studies which found that approximately 88% of waste in rivers is plastic, with the “vast majority” being single-use items. According to the ministry, roughly 41% of these are plastic bottles. Business Media Georgia, citing “diverse open sources,” presumes there is no precedent for such a ban on plastic bottles worldwide, including in the U.S., the EU, or OECD countries. Also Read: 12/03/2026 – GD Authorities Replace Six-Year-Older Car Import Ban with Up to Fivefold Excise Tax