Georgia Restricts Plastic Bottles for Beverages from July 1, 2026
Starting July 1, 2026, food service establishments in Georgia will be prohibited from supplying beverages to customers in plastic bottles.
In addition, from February 1, 2027, the production, import, and placing on the market of beverages in plastic bottles will also be prohibited. This information is provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The regulation also provides for certain 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.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce plastic consumption across the country. As of April 1, 2026, the production, import, and market placement of plastic forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, plates, straws, and drink stirrers, as well as expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers and cups, have already been prohibited. Additionally, the purchase of plastic cups, containers, and beverage bottles up to 3 liters through public procurement is now restricted. This process will further expand on July 1, 2026, when catering facilities will also be banned from providing ready-to-eat food in single-use plastic containers and cups.
As the final stage of this roadmap, from February 1, 2031, the production of drinks in plastic bottles (excluding production for export), their import, and market placement will be entirely prohibited. These clarified timelines by the Ministry underscore Georgia’s commitment to eliminating plastic bottle waste in both the hospitality sector and the general retail market.
Georgia Tightens Regulations on Plastics Used in Food Contact
