Ministry and Business Sector Discuss Model to Regulate Single-Use Plastics

First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Nino Tandilashvili, together with Deputy Ministers Solomon Pavliashvili and Zurab Ezugbaia, met with representatives of the business sector, including hypermarket chains and the hospitality industry.

The meeting focused on developing a model for regulating the use of single-use plastics in contact with food that would balance health, environmental protection and economic interests.

“The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture is actively working on regulating the consumption of single-use plastics directly related to food. Coordinated cooperation with the sector is essential. The goal of these meetings is to ensure that any regulation introduced by the state, aimed at improving food safety and environmental protection standards, is both practical and enforceable, while also establishing reasonable timelines for implementation. I believe that with joint efforts we can develop a model that will protect health, enhance environmental safety and ensure the sustainable development of the private sector,” said Nino Tandilashvili.

The meeting also addressed deadlines for transitioning to the new regulations. Excessive plastic consumption remains one of the most significant environmental challenges today. According to a study conducted in Georgia, the country annually consumes approximately 612.5 million units of single-use plastic items — including cups, lids, food containers, cutlery, plates and drink stirrers — amounting to between 3.9 and 5.9 thousand tons of plastic.