The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture held a meeting with plastic bag manufacturers and importers to discuss ongoing environmental regulations. Representatives from the State Laboratory of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Supervision were also in attendance.
Deputy Minister Solomon Pavliashvili emphasized Georgia’s preparedness to detect and combat plastic degradation and metal contents in such materials.
“Implementing a project of this scale without state support would have been unthinkable,” he said. “We now have a dedicated facility equipped with internationally accredited methods to conduct these studies.”
The Polymer Testing Laboratory at the State Laboratory of Agriculture received accreditation to study plastic decomposition in 2024, consequently, they can analyze metals like zinc, copper, nickel, cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, and arsenic in plastic products.
Deputy Minister Kakha Kakabadze pointed out the importance of the dedicated engagement of businesses in the process, saying “Reducing environmental pollution benefits everyone. The state will begin monitoring compliance with plastic bag regulations in April, but this preparation period is about being ready, not fines. What matters most is ensuring an efficient and well-supported transition.”
