What Other Cities & States Are Doing To Ban The Bag...

State legislatures have considered a number of measures to reduce the prevalence of plastic bags at grocery stores and other businesses. 

Reducing bag use can mitigate harmful impacts to oceans, rivers, lakes, forests and the wildlife that inhabit them. It can also relieve pressure on landfills and waste management.

While some states are focusing on implementing effective recycling programs, others are imposing bans or fees to discourage the use of plastic bags altogether. 

Bans and Fees

Eight states—California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont—have banned single-use plastic bags.

In August 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores. The bill also required a 10-cent minimum charge for recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and compostable bags at certain locations. The ban was set to take effect on July 1, 2015, but a referendum forced the issue onto the ballot in the November 2016 election. Proposition 67 passed with 52 percent of the vote, meaning the plastic bag ban approved by the Legislature remains the law. A detailed summary of the law can be found below. Voters also rejected a second measure, Proposition 65, which proposed to create an environmental fund with proceeds from a 10-cent charge for alternative bags.

Hawaii has a de facto statewide ban as all of its most populous counties prohibit non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout, as well as paper bags containing less than 40 percent recycled material. Bans in Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties took effect between 2011 and 2013, with Honolulu becoming the last major county to approve the ban in 2015.

New York became the third state to ban plastic bags in 2019 with passage of Senate Bill 1508. The law, which goes into effect March 2020, will apply to most single-use plastic bags provided by grocery stores and other retailers. Bags distributed at the meat/deli counter and bulk food area are exempt, as well as newspaper bags, trash bags, garment bags, bags provided by a pharmacy for prescription drugs, and restaurant takeout bags. The law allows individual counties the option of placing a 5-cent fee on paper bags, with 2 cents going to local governments and 3 cents to the state's Environmental Protection Fund. 

Five other states enacted legislation in 2019—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Oregon and Vermont. In addition to plastic bags, Vermont's SB 113 also placed restrictions on single-use straws and polystrene containers. 

In 2009, the District of Columbia enacted legislation requiring all businesses that sell food or alcohol to charge 5 cents for each carryout paper or plastic bag.

Major Cities with Plastic Bag Bans and Fees

Boston

Boulder, Colo.

Chicago

Montgomery County, Md

Los Angeles

New York

San Francisco

Portland, Maine

Seattle

Washington, D.C.

Recycling Programs

States have a long history of pursuing legislation related to labeling, recycling, and reusing plastic bags. In 1991, Maine became the first state to enact legislation requiring recycling efforts at retail stores. The law prevents retailers from supplying plastic bags unless they provide a convenient storefront receptacle to ensure used bags are collected and recycled. Since then at least four other states—California, Delaware, New York and Rhode Island—and the District of Columbia have followed suit.  

Legislation Summary

State lawmakers have introduced at least 95 bills in 2019 related to plastic bags. Most of these bills would ban or place a fee on plastic bags. Others would preempt local government action or improve bag recycling programs. 

States with Enacted Plastic Bag Legislation

Arizona

California- As of July 1, 2015, certain large stores are prohibited from providing a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer, unless the retailer makes that bag available for $0.10 and certain conditions are met.

Retail stores must adopt an at-store recycling program. Plastic bags used at retailers must have clearly printed “Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling” on the bag.

Connecticut- Imposes a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic bags provided at the point of sale until June 30, 2021 and bans them beginning July 1, 2021.

Delaware- Expands upon the existing at-store recycling program regarding the use of single-use plastic bags and limits stores subject to the program from providing single-use plastic bags for only specific uses.

Delaware- Encourages the use of reusable bags by consumers and retailers. It requires a store to establish an at-store recycling program that provides an opportunity for customers of the store to return plastic bags and requires all plastic carryout bags to display a recycling message.

District of Columbia- Protects the aquatic and environmental assets of the District of Columbia, bans the use of disposable non-recyclable plastic carryout bags, establishes a fee on all other disposable carryout bags provided by certain retail stores, and establishes the recurring Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund.

Idaho- States that any regulation regarding the use, disposition or sale of plastic bags or other “auxiliary containers” shall be imposed only by a statute enacted by the legislature.

Illinois- Establishes "Recycle Thin Film Friday” in the State of Illinois as an effort to reclaim used thin-film plastic bags and to encourage consumers to use reusable bags.

Maine- Prohibits a retail establishment from providing single-use carryout bags at the point of sale or otherwise making the bags available to customers, with exemptions for certain types and uses of plastic and paper bags.

Maine- Convenes a workgroup, through a partnership with state agencies and other appropriate entities, to work towards a viable solution to the checkout bag issue to achieve environmental benefits, maintain financial viability for manufacturers and retailers and avoid cost impacts, provides for a report to the legislature.

New York-Plastic bag ban

North Carolina- Reduces plastic and non-recycled paper bag use on North Carolina's Outer Banks. A retailer subject to certain provisions shall display a sign in a location viewable by customers saying “[county name] County discourages the use of single-use plastic and paper bags to protect our environment from excess litter and greenhouse gases. We would appreciate our customers using reusable bags, but if you are not able to, a 100% recycled paper bag will be furnished for your use."

Oregon- Prohibits, with certain exceptions, retail establishments and restaurants from providing single-use plastic bags to customers unless they charge a minimum of five cents per bag.

Rhode Island- This legislation promotes the use of paper bags by retailers. Retail establishments must offer the use of paper bags to the consumer. Every retail establishment that provides customers with plastic bags must provide conveniently located receptacles where customers can return their clean and dry plastic bags to be recycled. Failure to comply with these laws is punishable with fines up to $500.

Vermont- Relates to the prohibition of plastic carryout bags, expanded polystyrene, and single-use plastic straws.

Local Legislation-FLORIDA

SURFSIDE, FL- City-wide ban on all plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: MARCH 1, 2020

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, FL- City-wide ban on all plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: JANUARY 1, 2020

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL- City-wide ban on plastic bags 2.25 mils or less. IMPLEMENT DATE: JAN 1, 2020

NORTH BAY VILLAGE, FL- City-wide ban on all plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: JANUARY 1, 2020

GAINESVILLE, FL- City-wide ban on plastic bags less than 2.25 mils. IMPLEMENT DATE: JANUARY 1, 2020

PALM BEACH, FL- City-wide ban on all plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2019

BAL HARBOUR, FL- City-wide ban on plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2019

GAINESVILLE, FL- City-wide plastic bag ban. IMPLEMENT DATE: AUGUST 1, 2019

CORAL GABLES, FL - City-wide ban on plastic bags. IMPLEMENT DATE: MAY 9, 2019