Georgia (GE)
Caucasus gateway with long visa-free stays for many nationalities, low business taxes, mountain-and-wine culture, and a fast-changing 2026 work-permit environment.
Recycling & Waste in Georgia
Bin system, bottle deposits, special disposal, and common mistakes.
Georgia's waste management and recycling infrastructure is developing significantly but remains considerably less advanced than Western European standards. The primary municipality (Tbilisi City Hall, managed through Tbilisi Service Group — tsg.ge) operates the "Clean Tbilisi" (სუფთა თბილისი) waste management programme. Household waste separation is not yet mandatory for residents, and the majority of waste goes to landfill (Lilo landfill outside Tbilisi is the main facility). Progress is being made: Tbilisi has introduced coloured bin systems in several districts (2023–2026 rollout), and Georgia's EU Association Agreement commitments include waste management reforms aligned with EU directives. The EU4Environment programme is actively funding waste management improvements. Practical reality for expats: do your best with available separation infrastructure; do not feel guilt about the system's limitations — it is a national infrastructure challenge being actively addressed. Focus on the specific disposal options that do exist (electronics, batteries, medications) and use them.
The Bin System
Mixed General Waste
Greenსაყოფაცხოვრებო ნარჩენები (Household Waste)
- ✓General household waste (food packaging, non-recyclable plastics)
- ✓Food waste (in most areas — no separate organic collection)
- ✓Mixed paper and cardboard (where no separate paper bin is present)
- ✓Non-recyclable residual waste
- ✗Hazardous materials (batteries, chemicals, solvents)
- ✗Electronics and electrical equipment
- ✗Medical waste
- ✗Construction waste
- ✗Tyres
Paper and Cardboard
Blueქაღალდი/მუყაო
- ✓Clean cardboard boxes (flattened)
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, leaflets
- ✓Office paper
- ✓Paper packaging (clean)
- ✗Wet or food-contaminated paper
- ✗Paper cups (wax-coated)
- ✗Tissues and paper towels
- ✗Receipts (thermal paper)
Plastic and Metal Cans
Yellowპლასტიკი/ლითო
- ✓PET plastic bottles (water, soft drinks)
- ✓HDPE containers (clean)
- ✓Metal cans (aluminium, steel — food and drinks)
- ✓Rigid plastic containers (clean)
- ✗Non-rigid/soft plastics (bags, cling film)
- ✗Styrofoam
- ✗Dirty or food-contaminated plastic
- ✗Composite materials (Tetra Pak-type cartons — in most areas)
Glass
White or transparentშუშა
- ✓Glass bottles (wine, beer, spirit bottles)
- ✓Glass jars (food containers)
- ✓Clear, green, and brown glass
- ✗Broken glass (presents safety risk — wrap in newspaper, separate from bins)
- ✗Ceramic or porcelain
- ✗Pyrex/heat-resistant glass
- ✗Mirrors
Limited Bottle Return — Bottle Deposit System
Georgia does not have a formal beverage container deposit system as of 2026. There is no mandatory deposit on plastic bottles, cans, or glass. Some beer breweries (Natakhtari, Kazbegi, Argo) have informal bottle return programmes for reusable glass bottles through their own distribution channels — ask at the shop where you bought the beer.
No formal deposit amounts — informal return value if applicable
For beer bottles: return to the shop or small kiosk (duqani) where you purchased them — some will accept returns for a small payment. For wine: Georgian wine culture predominantly uses non-returnable bottles, though some natural wine producers use reusable qvevri vessels.
Special Disposal
Electronics recycling points at major electronics retailers: Zoommer (multiple Tbilisi branches), Alta (electronics chain), and some large supermarkets. Georgian Copper and Molybdenum Combine (GCMC) and other metal processors sometimes accept large appliances. Check with the retailer when purchasing new electronics — some offer take-back of old equipment.
WEEE collection infrastructure is limited in Georgia compared to EU standards. For large appliances (washing machines, fridges), contact Tbilisi Service Group (tsg.ge) for possible collection. Some electronic repair shops will take old devices for parts rather than disposal.
Battery collection points are present at some Carrefour supermarkets, electronics retailers (Zoommer, Alta), and occasionally at municipal offices. Collection is expanding but remains limited — ask at your nearest Carrefour or electronics store for current collection points.
Lithium and alkaline batteries should never go in general waste. If no collection point is accessible, keep batteries separate from household waste and bring them to the nearest collection point when available. Car batteries: return to car battery retailers or service stations — most accept old car batteries.
Return to pharmacy. Aversi, GPC, and PSP pharmacy chains — ask at the counter to return expired or unused medications.
Do NOT flush medications down the toilet — Georgian water treatment is not designed to handle pharmaceutical compounds. Most pharmacies accept medications for proper disposal. For controlled substances (opioids, certain psychoactive medications), contact your prescribing doctor for guidance.
No formal Georgian household hazardous waste collection programme exists as of 2026. Contact Tbilisi Service Group (tsg.ge) for guidance. Some construction supply stores may accept unused paint.
Never pour chemicals, solvents, or paint down drains or into general waste bins. Store safely until proper disposal is available. Small amounts of water-based paint can be left to dry completely and then placed in general waste.
Contact Tbilisi Service Group (tsg.ge, tel: 1505) to arrange bulky waste collection. Some items can also be donated via local Facebook groups ("Free Tbilisi" — "Tbilisi Free Items" group) or SS.ge listings.
Georgian culture strongly supports reuse — offering unwanted furniture via Facebook or SS.ge (free or low-cost) is very effective and culturally appropriate. Most items will be collected quickly. Tbilisi Service Group coordinates large waste collection on request.
Return to tyre fitting shops (vulcanizatsiya) — most accept old tyres for a small fee or free.
Never abandon tyres in nature or with general waste — illegal and environmentally damaging.
Return to car service stations (avtoservis) or petrol stations. Many accept old engine oil for recycling.
Engine oil is particularly environmentally harmful — one litre can contaminate one million litres of water. Always return to an authorised collection point.
Tbilisi Service Group can arrange collection of construction waste for a fee. Private waste removal companies also operate in Tbilisi.
Construction waste cannot go in regular household bins. If renting and making minor repairs, confirm with your landlord how to dispose of construction materials. For major renovations, hire a skip (kontaineri) from Tbilisi Service Group or a private company.
Bulk Waste
Contact Tbilisi Service Group (tsg.ge, tel: 1505) for bulky item collection. Alternatively, donate via SS.ge (free listings) or the "Tbilisi Free Items" Facebook group — Georgian recycling culture is strong on reuse. Carrefour occasionally organises special collection events.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ! Putting batteries in general waste bins — these should go to battery collection points at Carrefour or electronics retailers.
- ! Not separating glass, paper, and plastic where separate bins exist — the coloured bin system is being rolled out district by district in Tbilisi; check your area.
- ! Flushing medications — return to any Aversi, GPC, or PSP pharmacy.
- ! Abandoning furniture on the street (common practice but officially illegal) — offer on SS.ge or contact Tbilisi Service Group for collection.
- ! Using general waste bins for electronics — take to Zoommer or Alta retailers for WEEE collection.
- ! Not using the Green Bazaar or farmers' markets for fresh produce (which come with minimal packaging) versus supermarket over-packaged goods — a simple way to reduce household waste.
Fines & Enforcement
Tbilisi imposes fines for littering and illegal waste disposal: littering in public: 50–200 GEL. Illegal waste dumping (large quantities): 200–1,000 GEL. The "Clean Tbilisi" enforcement programme conducts inspections, particularly in parks and residential areas. Enforcement has increased since 2022.
Practical Tips
- → Check tsg.ge or ask your building manager which separation bins are currently available in your district — the rollout is uneven across Tbilisi neighbourhoods.
- → Buy reusable shopping bags (available at all Carrefour and Fresco stores for 0.50–2 GEL) — Georgia is phasing out single-use plastic bags.
- → Composting: if you have outdoor space or a garden, home composting is very practical in Georgia's climate. Municipal composting collections do not yet exist.
- → Kakheti wine and natural food markets (at Didube Bazaar, Green Bazaar) typically use less packaging than supermarkets — a more sustainable shopping choice.
- → Join ELKANA (Georgian ecological farming association) or local clean-up events to actively contribute to Georgia's recycling culture. Regular Tbilisi park clean-up events organised by various NGOs.
- → The "Clean Caucasus" initiative and similar Georgian environmental NGOs organise mountain and park clean-up events — a great way to explore Georgia's nature and meet like-minded expats and Georgians.