Armenia to ban all plastic bags starting in 2027

Armenia will ban the sale and use of all polyethylene bags and sacks from January1, 2027, except those used for weighing and packaging or made from recycled materials, Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan said at a cabinet meeting on Friday.

The ban will apply to bags thicker than 50 microns, which are already restricted, and will also cover single-use plastic or foam food containers and tableware. Paper and cloth reusable bags are being considered as alternatives.

Businesses that violate the rules will first receive a warning, with repeat offenses carrying fines of 100,000-150,000 drams, up from the current 30,000-100,000 drams. Market surveillance authorities and local governments will jointly enforce the regulations, the minister said.