Georgia Bans Single-Use Plastic Food Packaging and Foodware

Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced on February 12, 2026, that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia will ban the production, import, and sale of single-use plastics that come into contact with food starting February 1, 2027.

The Ministry stated in a press release that it "has developed a comprehensive model for reducing plastic consumption, designed to balance public health, promote environmental protection, and economic interests."

In November 2025, the Government of Georgia began a phased approach, with input from the private sector, to limit the use of single-use plastic in food contact. The ban will help them better align with and exceed international best practices, such as in the EU, where many single-use plastic items are banned.

The timeline for the ban is as follows:

• January 1, 2026: The production (except for export), import, and placing on the market of single-use plastic utensils as well as expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers and cups is banned. Food service establishments are also prohibited from supplying ready-made food to customers using single-use plastic food containers and cups. However, the ban does not apply to single-use plastic packaging intended for pre-packaged foods.
• April 1, 2026: Most government organizations conducting procurement will be banned from purchasing all types of single-use plastic cups, plastic containers and beverages packaged in plastic bottles less than 3 liters.
• July 1, 2026: Food service establishments will be prohibited from providing food to consumers in or on all types of single-use plastic materials or products.
• February 1, 2027: The production (except for export), import, and placing of food packaged in or on all types of single-use plastic materials or products will be prohibited across all food categories except sunflower oil or drinking water in containers larger than 10 liters.

Regulations Omit Plastic Exports

Notably, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia exempted the production of plastic designed for food contact applications destined for export from the proposed ban. In a similar move, the Government of Canada is proposing amendments to its Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, which would allow for the export of six categories of single-use plastics banned within the country. The Government of Canada argues that this action will prevent job and investment losses, address global supply chain issues, and align with the practices of other major trading partners, including the EU. A public consultation on this proposed change is ongoing until February 28, 2026.

Reference: "Georgia bans single-use plastic food packaging and foodware" published by Food Packaging Forum