In Armenia, the regulatory process aimed at curbing single-use plastics has reached a new stage. In February 2026, Deputy Minister of Environment Ara Mkrtchyan presented a legislative amendment proposal to the relevant professional committee of the Armenian Parliament, which would ban the sale of plastic bags and various other disposable plastic items starting January 1, 2027. The proposal—which received the committee’s endorsement—aims to close existing regulatory loopholes and radically reduce the country’s waste burden.
The Armenian National Assembly’s Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture, and Environment gave a positive opinion on the initiative to amend the “Law on Trade and Services.” Under the proposal, the most common sources of plastic pollution would be phased out of commercial circulation in Armenia by the beginning of next year.
The Proposed Ban List: From Bags to Food Containers
The draft law targets more than just shopping bags. According to the proposal, the sale and distribution of the following single-use plastic products will be prohibited from January 1, 2027:
-
Plastic Bags and Pouches: The ban would apply to all polyethylene-based bags, regardless of their thickness.
-
Disposable Cutlery and Tableware: Plastic plates, cups, spoons, forks, and knives.
-
Accessories: Plastic drink stirrers and straws.
-
EPS (Styrofoam) Containers: Food storage boxes made of expanded polystyrene.
The proposal also specifies certain exceptions: packaging for hygienic purposes (such as bags used for weighing bulk goods), durable multi-use plastic containers, and trash bags made from recycled materials would remain permitted.
Failure of Previous Regulations and the New Strategy
According to the ministry’s argument, previous restrictions introduced in 2022 did not achieve the desired effect. At that time, only plastic bags thinner than 50 microns were banned, to which retailers and manufacturers responded quickly by distributing bags with a thickness of 51 microns. In practice, this did not reduce the amount of plastic entering the environment; in fact, the greater thickness increased the mass of waste and its decomposition time.
The new proposal seeks to close this loophole by banning polyethylene bags regardless of thickness. Ara Mkrtchyan emphasized that the 2027 target date provides sufficient time for economic actors to transition to alternative, eco-friendly packaging materials (paper, textile, biodegradable materials).
Stricter Penalties for Violators
The legislative initiative includes not only the ban but also a tightening of the sanction system. According to the proposal, the fines for violating the ban would increase significantly:
-
Fines: Retailers and service providers violating the regulation can expect fines between 100,000 and 150,000 Armenian drams (approximately $250–$390) in cases of repeated offenses.
-
Enforcement: Oversight powers would be exercised by local governments and market surveillance authorities.
If the proposal is adopted, Armenia will take a significant step toward sustainable development, which is particularly important in light of the COP-17 biodiversity conference scheduled for October 2026, which the country will host. The next step for the initiative is the parliamentary plenary session, where representatives will make the final decision on the bill.
Official Sources and References:
-
Original News Source: ArmInfo – Armenia plans to ban plastic bags and single-use plastics in 2027
-
Legislative Background: Republic of Armenia – National Assembly (parliament.am)
