A New Regulation to Reduce Plastic Consumption Will Enter into Force on April 1, 2026
In order to prevent plastic pollution and reduce pressure on natural ecosystems, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia is introducing new regulatory measures.
At the initiative of the Ministry, a draft decree of the Government of Georgia has been prepared, according to which organizations carrying out public procurement will be prohibited from purchasing plastic cups, containers, and beverages in plastic bottles with a capacity of up to 3 liters. The regulation will not apply to public procurements carried out for the needs of the Defence Forces and military personnel. The decree will enter into force on April 1, 2026.
It should be noted that, as of January 1, 2026, the sale of certain plastic items intended for contact with food has already been prohibited.
Single-use plastic consumption poses significant risks to both the environment and human health. Reducing its use and introducing appropriate alternatives is essential for protecting ecosystems and public health.
To assess plastic pollution, several studies have been conducted across Georgia. Within a project financially supported by the World Bank, assessments carried out at 13 locations within the Rioni River basin confirmed the dominance of plastic waste at all surveyed sites. The studies found that the average density of waste in the Rioni River is 1.77 items per square meter, reaching nearly 4 items per square meter in some locations. This significantly exceeds the average levels recorded in other European rivers (approximately 0.5 items per square meter), underscoring the scale of the problem and the urgency of intervention.
A study conducted within a project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) confirmed that single-use plastic consumption in Georgia is significantly high, amounting to approximately 613.5 million units annually, equivalent to around 3.9–5.9 thousand tons.
Based on these findings, the presented draft decree was prepared, which will prohibit budgetary organizations from purchasing beverages in plastic bottles of up to 3 liters starting from April 1, 2026. The implementation of this regulation will represent another important step toward reducing plastic consumption in the country.
