Georgia to ban single-use plastic food-contact items from 2026

USA – The state of Georgia is set to implement a sweeping ban on the sale, production and import of several single-use plastic items designed for food contact, beginning January 1, 2026, as part of a broader effort to curb plastic pollution and strengthen environmental protection.

Under the new regulation, plastic forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, food containers and cups, along with their lids made of expanded polystyrene (PS), will be prohibited.

The ban includes not only the sale of these items but also their production, importation and placing on the market.

However, manufacturers will still be permitted to produce these plastic goods exclusively for export, provided strict reporting requirements are met.

Companies must notify the Environmental Supervision Department at least one month before production begins, detailing start and end dates, quantities to be manufactured, destination countries and export timelines.

The government has amended Resolution No. 304 of June 8, 2022, which governs plastic materials intended to come into contact with food.

The amendment introduces several transition periods to help businesses and consumers adjust to the new regulations. Plastic items that were already placed on the market before the resolution was adopted will be allowed to remain on shelves for a period of three months.

This grace period aims to prevent immediate economic losses for retailers and minimize product waste.

Additionally, food-service establishments will face stricter requirements. Six months after the regulation comes into force, restaurants, cafés, and other vendors will no longer be permitted to provide ready-to-eat meals in single-use plastic food containers or plastic cups.

This phase-in period gives the food-service sector time to source and adopt alternative, sustainable packaging solutions.

However, the regulation draws a clear distinction between service packaging and product packaging. The ban does not apply to single-use plastic packaging materials used for pre-packaged foods, which may continue to be sold and distributed.

This exemption recognizes the current reliance on plastic for food safety and shelf-life requirements while broader efforts toward sustainable packaging innovation continue.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture emphasized that the phased approach is designed to help businesses adapt while ensuring a meaningful reduction in plastic waste over time.

Georgia’s move reflects an accelerating global shift toward the elimination of single-use plastics.

In 2024, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, alongside the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, intensified nationwide crackdowns on single-use plastic bags, issuing fines and shutting down non-compliant manufacturers.

In Southeast Asia, Bali, Indonesia, enacted a ban on the production and distribution of plastic water containers smaller than one liter, complementing earlier restrictions on plastic bags and straws to protect marine ecosystems.

With more countries adopting strict plastic regulations, Georgia’s new measures position the state among a growing list of regions prioritizing environmental sustainability and advancing efforts to transition to safer, reusable and biodegradable alternatives.

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