Georgia Introduces Phased Ban on Plastic Bottles for Food Contact Use

The Government has adopted a resolution on the phased ban of certain plastic products intended for food contact.

At today’s government session, a resolution titled “On the Prohibition of the Production, Import, and Placement on the Market of Certain Plastic Products Intended for Food Contact” was approved.

The resolution предусматривает a gradual ban on the production (except for export purposes), import, and placement on the market of beverages in plastic bottles. Starting from July 1, 2026, food service establishments will be prohibited from supplying beverages to consumers in plastic bottles. From February 1, 2027, the production (except for export), import, and placement on the market of beverages in plastic bottles will be fully banned.

The resolution also includes several exceptions. In particular, the ban will not apply to drinking water with a volume of 3 liters or more, as well as to beverages (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, including soft drinks and others) with a volume of 20 liters or more.

An exception is also made for the production and supply of drinking water for the needs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the Georgian Defence Forces, and military personnel.

The adoption of this resolution was driven by several factors. Plastic products, including those intended for food contact, have a significant negative impact on the environment and natural ecosystems. Their decomposition process takes hundreds of years, leading to the accumulation of plastic in soil, water bodies, and seas, damaging sanitation systems and reducing soil fertility. Ultimately, this contributes to the loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecological balance.

Several nationwide studies assessing plastic pollution have been conducted. According to their findings, approximately 88% of waste found in rivers is plastic, with the majority consisting of single-use plastic products. Among these, plastic bottles account for about 41% of the total.