Armenia to ban sale of single-use plastic bags starting January 1, 2027
14.11.2025,
14:35
Starting January 1, 2027, Armenia plans to ban the sale of single-use plastic bags, as well as their use in retail and catering establishments, said RA Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan.
YEREVAN, November 14. /ARKA/. Starting January 1, 2027, Armenia plans to ban the sale of single-use plastic bags, as well as their use in retail and catering establishments, said RA Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan.
"They are also planned to be banned from mobile vending machines, fairs, and retail outlets, with the exception of bags for weighing and packaging, or those made from recycled waste. The ban will also apply to polyethylene bags with a density greater than 50 microns," Matevosyan noted at a government meeting on Friday.
He added that reusable paper and fabric bags will be considered as alternatives.
"The sale and use of disposable plastic and foam containers and utensils in the above-mentioned locations is also prohibited. An exception has also been established for weighing and packaging in sealed plastic containers. Paper and wood containers, as well as paper and foil containers, are considered as alternatives," the minister said.
In this regard, Matevosyan added that businesses that violate these prohibitions will be subject to administrative penalties, initially with a preliminary warning, and in the event of repeated violations, with a fine of 100,000 to 150,000 drams.
"Currently, the fine is 30,000 to 100,000 drams," he recalled.
Starting January 1, 2022, Armenia has banned the use of polyethylene bags up to 50 microns thick in retail outlets, with the exception of recycled weighing bags. Businesses have been given approximately two years to abandon plastic bags and find new, environmentally friendly solutions. ($1 - 382.28 drams)
"They are also planned to be banned from mobile vending machines, fairs, and retail outlets, with the exception of bags for weighing and packaging, or those made from recycled waste. The ban will also apply to polyethylene bags with a density greater than 50 microns," Matevosyan noted at a government meeting on Friday.
He added that reusable paper and fabric bags will be considered as alternatives.
"The sale and use of disposable plastic and foam containers and utensils in the above-mentioned locations is also prohibited. An exception has also been established for weighing and packaging in sealed plastic containers. Paper and wood containers, as well as paper and foil containers, are considered as alternatives," the minister said.
In this regard, Matevosyan added that businesses that violate these prohibitions will be subject to administrative penalties, initially with a preliminary warning, and in the event of repeated violations, with a fine of 100,000 to 150,000 drams.
"Currently, the fine is 30,000 to 100,000 drams," he recalled.
Starting January 1, 2022, Armenia has banned the use of polyethylene bags up to 50 microns thick in retail outlets, with the exception of recycled weighing bags. Businesses have been given approximately two years to abandon plastic bags and find new, environmentally friendly solutions. ($1 - 382.28 drams)
