Cooperation within the Caucasus region is important, Levan Davitashvili

Caspian Energy (CE): Implementation of the national waste management strategy of Georgia 2030 is ongoing. According to new regulations, plastic bags should be replaced by biodegradable bags. Use of plastic bags in Europe was restricted years ago. What are the goals and plans you have for the nearest future?

Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia: On September 14, 2018, the Government of Georgia adopted the Decree # 472 on “Technical Regulations and Rules of Application on Plastic and Biodegradable bags”. According to this decree, import, manufacturing and sale of plastic bags of less than 15 microns, and manufacturing, import and selling of any “Oxo degradable bags” was prohibited since October 1, 2018.

The ban was imposed on import, manufacturing and sale of any plastic bag from April 1, 2019. Accordingly, from this stage it is only accepted to import, produce and sell biodegradable and compost (according to standard EN 13432: 2000) plastic bags.