Maya Ellison
The legality of stores charging for plastic bags varies by location. In the United States, there is no national plastic bag fee or ban in effect. However, several states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Washington, have banned disposable bags, and many counties and municipalities have enacted ordinances imposing fees on plastic bags or banning them outright. For example, in Washington State, an additional 4-cent penalty will be charged for plastic film bags from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, while in California, stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag. In some cases, the money collected from these fees is used for public funding or litter control, while in others, stores may retain a portion of the fee revenues. Ultimately, the decision to charge for plastic bags is often influenced by government policies and efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote the use of reusable bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States with plastic bag bans | California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico |
| States with plastic bag fees | Minnesota, Chicago, Washington, D.C. |
| States with laws preventing local plastic bag bans | Florida, Arizona, Missouri |
| States with plastic bag fees and bans in certain counties | Virginia, Texas |
| States with plastic bag fees in certain counties | Massachusetts |
| States with plastic bag fees for specific types of bags | Washington (8-cent fee for recycled content paper or wheat straw paper bags; 12-cent fee for thick film plastic bags from Jan. 1, 2026) |
| States with plastic bag fees for all bags | Colorado (10-cent fee for recycled paper or single-use plastic bags from Jan. 1, 2024) |
| States with plastic bag bans and fees for specific types of bags | California (10-cent fee for compostable plastic bags; ban on single-use plastic bags from Jan. 1, 2025) |
| States with plastic bag bans in certain counties | Hawaii |
| Counties with plastic bag bans and fees | Prince George's County, Maryland (10-cent fee for paper or reusable bags) |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bag bans in the United States
Plastic bag bans have been implemented in various states, counties, and cities across the United States to address the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags. While there is no national plastic bag fee or ban in place, individual states, counties, and cities have taken their own approaches to reducing plastic waste.
California
California was the first state to implement a statewide plastic bag ban in 2014, targeting single-use plastic bags at supermarket checkouts. However, a loophole in the legislation allowed stores to sell thicker plastic bags labelled as "reusable," which led to increased plastic waste as people often did not reuse them. To address this issue, new legislation was passed in 2024 to eliminate the loophole, with the updated ban coming into effect in January 2026. Additionally, California also banned plastic produce bags starting in January 2025.
Washington
The state of Washington has implemented a plastic bag ban that prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags in retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets. The ban includes an 8-cent charge for recycled content paper or wheat straw paper carryout bags and will introduce a 12-cent charge for reusable carryout bags made of thick film plastic starting in January 2026.
Other States and Localities
Several other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and certain territories, have also implemented various forms of plastic bag bans or fees. For example, Hawaii does not have a statewide ban, but all of its local jurisdictions have banned plastic bags, effectively banning them across the state. Additionally, cities like San Francisco, Atlanta, and Seattle have also enacted bans or restrictions on single-use plastic bags and other plastic products.
The legislative landscape surrounding plastic bag bans in the United States is complex and constantly evolving, with a mix of statewide bans, local ordinances, and industry lobbying influencing the implementation of these measures.
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The social expectation of free bags
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of governments mandating charges for bags to reduce their environmental impact. This has taken the form of either outright bans on single-use plastic bags or the implementation of fees. These fees are typically kept by the government or distributed to municipalities and counties to fund waste reduction and recycling initiatives. Some examples include California, which has a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags and requires stores to charge at least 10 cents per bag, and Washington State, which will implement a 12-cent charge for reusable plastic bags starting in 2026.
While these measures are intended to discourage single-use bag consumption, there are exemptions for certain customers. For instance, individuals participating in federal or state food assistance programs are often exempt from paying bag fees. Additionally, some jurisdictions have opted for a fee-only approach, such as Chicago and Washington, D.C., rather than implementing a complete ban.
To adapt to these changes, retailers are encouraged to provide reusable bags or recycled paper bags to customers. This shift promotes environmental sustainability and reduces the costs associated with single-use bags. By transitioning to reusable options, retailers can meet customer expectations while also complying with government regulations.
Overall, the social expectation of free bags has been a complex issue for retailers, but the increasing focus on environmental sustainability and government interventions are driving necessary changes in consumer behaviour and retailer practices.
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The cost of plastic bags
Plastic bags are a significant source of pollution, and their production and disposal contribute to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, several jurisdictions have implemented fees or bans on single-use plastic bags. These measures aim to reduce plastic waste, promote the use of reusable bags, and protect the environment and marine life.
In the United States, there is no nationwide plastic bag fee or ban in effect. However, individual states, counties, and cities have taken their own approaches to address the issue. For example, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and several territories have banned disposable plastic bags. On the other hand, some states like Florida, Arizona, and Missouri have passed laws preventing local municipalities from enacting their own bans.
The fees collected from plastic bag charges are typically used to cover the costs of providing reusable bags and to fund environmental initiatives. In some cases, a portion of the revenue is returned to the local municipality or county, while stores may retain a percentage of the fee. These charges also incentivize customers to bring their own bags, reducing the demand for single-use plastic bags.
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The environmental impact of plastic bags
Plastic bags are often indiscriminately dumped, leading to littering and stormwater drain blockages. Birds and marine animals, such as sea turtles and fish, often mistake plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic debris and transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish and marine mammals. This has a detrimental impact on the health of both animal life and humans, with microplastics being consumed by people through food and air.
To combat the environmental impact of plastic bags, governments have implemented various measures. These include merging regulatory elements with a 'per-bag tax', as seen in South Africa and Ireland, which initially reduced plastic bag usage. However, the effectiveness of such levies has declined over time as prices have decreased and consumption rates have risen. Other strategies include banning single-use plastic bags, as seen in California with the Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban (SB 270), and encouraging the use of reusable bags, with some states imposing additional charges for thicker plastic bags to discourage their use.
The promotion of reusable bags aims to reduce the environmental costs of production, transportation, waste, and litter. Some states, like Washington, have implemented charges for all carryout bags, whether they are made of recycled paper, wheat straw paper, or thick film plastic. These charges are intended to discourage the use of single-use bags and encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.
Overall, the environmental impact of plastic bags is significant and has led to a variety of legislative and pricing strategies to curb their usage and promote more sustainable alternatives.
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The legality of charging for plastic bags in specific states
In the United States, there is no national plastic bag fee or ban in effect. However, some states and territories have implemented their own laws and regulations regarding plastic bag use and charges. Here is an overview of the legality of charging for plastic bags in specific states:
California
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits stores from distributing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. Stores may sell reusable plastic bags or recycled paper bags until January 1, 2026, after which they will only be allowed to distribute recycled paper bags. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag, and the money collected from these charges must be used to cover the cost of providing reusable or recycled paper bags.
Washington
Washington State has also implemented a plastic bag ban, prohibiting single-use plastic carryout bags in retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets. Beginning January 1, 2026, retailers must charge 12 cents for reusable carryout bags and 8 cents for recyclable paper bags. An additional 4-cent penalty will be applied to thicker plastic film bags to discourage their use. This penalty will be in effect from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
Other States
Other states that have banned disposable bags include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and more. Some jurisdictions, such as Chicago and Washington, D.C., have chosen to implement a fee-only approach to bag reduction, charging a small fee for plastic bags to encourage the use of reusable alternatives. On the other hand, states like Florida, Arizona, and Missouri have passed laws preventing local municipalities from passing their own bans or fees.
While the legality of charging for plastic bags varies across the United States, the common goal is to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags and promote the use of reusable alternatives. Many states and local governments are taking initiatives to regulate plastic bag use through bans, fees, or other measures to encourage sustainable practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, stores in California can charge for plastic bags. However, they must be reusable and meet specific criteria, such as being made from at least 40% post-consumer recycled material and being at least 2.25 mils thick. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per bag, and this fee is kept by the store.
In Washington state, there is a ban on single-use plastic bags. Stores can provide reusable plastic bags made from recycled content, but there is a charge of 12 cents per bag. An additional 4-cent penalty applies to bags that are 4 mil thick or greater, bringing the total charge to 16 cents for these bags.
Yes, several states in the US have banned disposable bags, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Some counties and cities have also implemented their own bans or fees, such as Prince George's County in Maryland, which prohibits retail establishments from providing plastic carryout bags and charges at least 10 cents for paper or reusable bags.
Stores are often required by law to charge for bags to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags and encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags. While stores could choose to provide bags for free, there is often a social expectation that they will be provided for free, and they may be perceived as greedy if they charge for them without a government mandate.
