Georgia to expand plastic ban to F&B packaging with gradual rollout

USA – Georgia is preparing to widen its national plastic restrictions to cover food and beverage (F&B) packaging, signalling a major regulatory shift for manufacturers, importers and foodservice operators.

At a recent cabinet session, officials reviewed a draft decree outlining a two-phase implementation plan.

From July 1, 2026, foodservice establishments will be prohibited from serving food in plastic containers.

A second phase, effective February 1, 2027, will extend the ban to the production, import and sale of food packaged in plastic materials.

The move builds on measures already introduced this year, which banned the sale of selected single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, food containers and cups, as well as lids made of expanded polystyrene (PS).

According to Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, the government has developed a comprehensive framework aimed at reducing plastic consumption while balancing public health, environmental protection and economic considerations.

The ministry stated that the phased rollout is designed to support ecological safety while allowing time for private sector adaptation. Ongoing consultations have included beverage manufacturers, foodservice operators and business associations.

The urgency of the reforms is underscored by data cited from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which estimates that approximately 613.5 million units of single-use plastic products are consumed annually in Georgia.

The new decree will apply across all F&B categories, with limited exemptions for sunflower oil and drinking water sold in containers of 10 litres or more.

For packaging converters and brand owners, the policy is expected to accelerate the transition toward alternative materials such as paper-based solutions, reusable systems and compostable or recyclable formats.

However, industry stakeholders are likely to face cost, sourcing and infrastructure challenges, particularly in scaling sustainable substitutes that meet food safety and shelf-life requirements.

Georgia’s expanded restrictions mirror a broader global push to curb packaging waste. This month, Ethiopia officially banned single-use plastic bags, strengthening enforcement efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

Meanwhile, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has entered the final phase of its single-use plastics ban, extending restrictions to items such as plastic plates, cutlery, beverage cups and lids.

As governments tighten regulations, packaging manufacturers operating in and exporting to Georgia will need to reassess material portfolios and supply chains ahead of the 2026 and 2027 deadlines, marking a decisive step in the country’s transition toward more sustainable F&B packaging practices.

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