At a government meeting, the Ministry of Natural Resources presented a package of bills proposing significant restrictions on single-use polyethylene and plastic products.
Ban on plastic bags starting January 1, 2027. The bill proposes banning the sale and availability of plastic bags and shopping bags starting January 1, 2027:
in retail outlets,
in catering establishments,
in street vendors, • at fairs,
in retail outlets.
Exceptions: bags used for packaging at kiosks,
garbage container bags made from recycled materials.
The ban will also apply to polyethylene bags thicker than 50 microns, which were previously permitted. Alternatives: reusable paper or fabric bags.
Disposable Plastic Tableware and Containers
The program will also prohibit the presence or sale of disposable tableware and containers made of plastic or foam in the same locations. An exception is made only for sealed plastic containers intended for packaging at kiosks.
Alternatives:
paper and wooden tableware,
paper or foil containers.
Business entities will be subject to administrative penalties in the event of violations:
for the first violation, a warning;
for a repeat violation, a fine of 100,000–150,000 drams.
Under current regulations, the fine was 30,000–100,000 drams, meaning the penalty is becoming more severe.