The government will have the authority, in special cases, to prohibit or restrict the placing or sale of certain products on the market. Relevant amendments to the Waste Management Code were initiated at today’s session of the Bureau.

The draft law, submitted by the government, is being proposed for expedited consideration.

According to the document, the amendments are driven by the scale of plastic pollution in the country.

“In the process of assessing plastic pollution, several nationwide studies have been conducted by international organizations. In particular, with financial support from the World Bank, plastic pollution hotspots were identified in 13 locations along the Rioni River basin and its tributaries (Pichura, Kvirila, Dzirula, Tskhenistskali), and both quantitative and qualitative analyses of waste were carried out. The study found that approximately 88% of the waste in the river is plastic, most of it consisting of single-use items. It was determined that the average waste density in the Rioni River is 1.77 items per square meter, reaching nearly 4 items in some areas—significantly higher than the average level recorded in other European rivers (approximately 0.5 items/m²).

Additionally, under the UNDP project ‘Promoting the Transition to Acceptable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastics,’ a feasibility study on alternatives to single-use plastic products revealed a high consumption rate across the country. Georgia consumes approximately 613.5 million single-use plastic items annually, amounting to roughly 3.9–5.9 thousand tons.

Thus, the consumption of single-use plastic poses a serious risk to both the environment and human health. Based on these findings, the Government of Georgia has decided to introduce measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics starting January 1, 2026, which is essential for protecting the environment and public health.

Given the above, the adoption of this draft law under an accelerated procedure is necessary, enabling the Government of Georgia, if required, to prohibit or restrict the placing on the market or sale of specific products from January 1, 2026,” the draft law states.