Georgia Plans Ban on Plastic Bottled Beverages

The Georgian government is preparing to prohibit the sale of beverages in plastic bottles as part of a broader campaign to reduce plastic consumption, Newsgeorgia reports.

Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Solomon Pavliashvili announced that the ban is expected to take effect next year. However, certain exemptions will apply. The restriction will not cover vegetable oil sold in plastic containers or drinking water packaged in volumes exceeding 10 liters. Products manufactured for export will also be excluded from the new rules.

The measure forms part of a wider environmental initiative aimed at curbing plastic waste. Since January 1, the production of single-use plastic items intended for the domestic market has already been banned in Georgia. Such products may now be manufactured only for export purposes.

Further restrictions are set to follow. Beginning April 1, state institutions will be prohibited from purchasing plastic cups, containers and bottles with a capacity of up to three liters. From July 1, the same limitation will extend to hotels, restaurants and cafes.

Authorities say the phased approach is designed to gradually shift businesses and consumers toward more sustainable alternatives.