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New Regulation on the Reduction of Plastic Consumption Enters into Force on April 1, 2026
In line with international best practices and the principles of sustainable development, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia is implementing new regulatory measures to prevent plastic pollution and mitigate pressure on natural ecosystems.
At the initiative of the Ministry, a draft Resolution of the Government of Georgia has been prepared, which prohibits organizations conducting state procurement from purchasing plastic cups, plastic containers, and beverages packaged in plastic bottles with a capacity of up to 3 liters. This restriction does not apply to state procurements carried out for the operational needs of the Defense Forces and military personnel.
The Regulation will come into force on April 1, 2026.
Notably, as of January 1, 2026, the placing on the market of certain plastic items intended for food contact has already been prohibited, reflecting a gradual and systematic approach to reducing single-use plastics.
The use of single-use plastics poses a significant risk to both the environment and human health. Reducing their consumption and introducing appropriate alternatives are essential to safeguarding ecosystems and public health.
Several studies have been conducted across Georgia to assess plastic pollution. Within a project implemented with financial support from the World Bank, assessments carried out at 13 sites in the Rioni River basin confirmed the dominance of plastic waste at all locations. The studies also revealed 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 areas. These figures significantly exceed the average levels recorded in other European rivers (approximately 0.5 items/m²), underscoring the scale of the problem and the urgent need for action.
Furthermore, a study conducted under a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project confirmed that the consumption of single-use plastics in Georgia remains high, amounting to approximately 613.5 million items annually, corresponding to an estimated 3.9–5.9 thousand tonnes of plastic waste per year.
Based on these findings, the proposed Draft Resolution introduces a prohibition, effective from April 1, 2026, on the procurement of beverages in plastic bottles of up to 3 liters by budgetary organizations. The implementation of this measure represents a further step toward reducing plastic consumption.