Chloe Zhang
Oregon has been at the forefront of addressing plastic pollution, with a history of effective work to reduce plastic waste. In 2019, the state passed House Bill 2509, banning most retailers and restaurants from providing single-use plastic bags thinner than four millimeters thick. The bill, also known as the Sustainable Shopping Initiative, went into effect on January 1, 2020, and requires a five-cent fee for single-use paper bags and all reusable bags provided at checkout. The legislation aims to reduce plastic pollution and waste, improve recycling equipment functionality, and enhance public spaces and the environment. Oregon's leadership in this area has inspired other states to follow suit, and there is ongoing momentum to strengthen the state's plastic bag ban further and continue the fight against plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ban on single-use plastic bags | Yes |
| Effective date | January 1, 2020 |
| Applicable to | Retail, grocery, and convenience stores, restaurants |
| Fee for single-use paper bags and reusable bags | 5 cents |
| Plastic bag thickness banned | Less than 4 millimeters |
| Enforcement | Fines ranging from $100 to $500 for non-compliance |
| Aims | Reduce plastic pollution and waste, improve safety |
| Related bans | Polystyrene foam foodware, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging |
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What You'll Learn
- Oregon's plastic bag ban was passed to reduce plastic pollution and waste
- The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores and restaurants
- Retailers are required to charge customers a five-cent fee for single-use paper bags and reusable bags
- The ban does not include recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags for WIC voucher customers
- Oregon cities like Bend and Lincoln have also implemented their own plastic bag bans
Oregon's plastic bag ban was passed to reduce plastic pollution and waste
In 2019, Oregon passed a law banning single-use plastic bags, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores, as well as restaurants, and includes plastic bags thinner than four millimeters. The law was passed to reduce plastic pollution and waste, which is costly to clean up and harmful to the environment and wildlife.
Before the ban, plastic bags contributed significantly to plastic pollution in Oregon. Their lightweight nature means they can easily become entangled in recycling equipment, endangering workers, or blow away from garbage cans and landfills, littering open spaces and entering storm drains and waterways. Plastic bags also break down into small, toxic pieces that are consumed by wildlife and aquatic animals.
The single-use plastic bag ban in Oregon encourages the use of reusable bags by requiring stores and restaurants to charge customers a fee of at least five cents per bag for paper or reusable plastic bags. However, some "reusable" bags provided by stores are thicker plastic film bags, which are often treated as single-use and end up as trash, causing similar environmental harm.
To further reduce plastic waste, Oregon passed two additional bills in 2023. Senate Bill 543 will phase out the use of polystyrene foam foodware and limit the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging by January 1, 2025. Senate Bill 545 requires the Oregon Health Authority to update the health code to make it easier for restaurants to provide reusable container options by June 30, 2024. These bills build on Oregon's previous efforts to address plastic pollution and waste.
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The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores and restaurants
In 2019, Oregon passed a law banning single-use plastic bags in the state. The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores, as well as restaurants, and came into effect on January 1, 2020. The law was enacted to reduce plastic pollution and waste, as well as for safety reasons. Plastic bags can cause harm to the environment and wildlife, and they can also endanger workers during the recycling process.
Under the ban, retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants are prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags to customers at checkout. This includes any plastic bag that is less than 4 mil thick, even if it is labelled as "compostable", "biodegradable", or "made from plants". Bags provided to customers at times other than checkout, such as those designed to hold bulk items or for sanitary purposes, are exempt from the ban.
Stores and restaurants are allowed to provide paper checkout bags or thicker, reusable plastic bags to customers for a fee of at least 5 cents per bag. Paper bags must be made with at least 40% post-consumer recycled fiber. Stores may also provide free reusable bags as a promotion, but for no more than 12 days per year. Retailers are required to collect data on the collection of the bag fee and customers' use of paper, fabric, and reusable plastic bags, with reports due to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in 2024 and 2025.
Some Oregon cities, such as Bend and Lincoln City, have also implemented their own plastic bag bans and encouraged residents to use personal shopping bags instead. The state of Oregon has been a leader in addressing plastic pollution, and there is ongoing momentum to further reduce single-use plastic waste in the state.
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Retailers are required to charge customers a five-cent fee for single-use paper bags and reusable bags
In 2019, Oregon passed a law banning single-use plastic bags, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores, as well as restaurants, and includes plastic bags thinner than four millimeters. The law also requires retailers to charge customers a five-cent fee for single-use paper bags and reusable bags provided at checkout. This includes paper bags, thick plastic bags (four mil or more), and fabric bags. The fee is intended to encourage customers to bring their own bags and reduce plastic waste.
The five-cent fee for single-use paper bags and reusable bags is mandatory for retailers to charge. It applies to any bag provided at checkout, regardless of size. This includes bags for small items such as a bottle of wine or notecards. Food vendors, including restaurants, fast food, and food carts, are exempt from charging for paper bags. However, they must still comply with the ban on single-use plastic bags.
There are some exceptions to the fee requirement. Retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants may provide recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags at no cost to customers with a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) voucher or electronic benefits transfer card. Additionally, stores may offer free reusable bags as a promotion, but only for up to 12 days per year.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the single-use bag ban. The DEQ collects reports from grocery retailers accounting for the five-cent bag fee and assessing customers' use of reusable bags. The first report is due to the legislature in 2025. Businesses found in violation of the policy will receive a written warning and may be subject to fines if they do not comply.
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The ban does not include recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags for WIC voucher customers
Oregon has been at the forefront of addressing plastic pollution, with a focus on reducing plastic waste in the state. In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2509, banning single-use plastic bags thinner than four millimeters thick. The bill, also known as the Sustainable Shopping Initiative, took effect on January 1, 2020, and applied to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores, as well as restaurants. This move was aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic bags, which can act like balloons, blowing out of garbage cans and landfills, eventually finding their way into rivers and oceans, and breaking down into toxic pieces consumed by wildlife.
While the ban targeted single-use plastic bags, it did not include recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags for customers with Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vouchers or electronic benefits transfer cards. Retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants are allowed to provide these bags free of charge to WIC voucher customers. This exemption ensures that individuals and families utilizing WIC benefits have access to bags for their purchases without incurring additional costs.
The WIC program is a federal assistance initiative, providing supplemental food, education, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to five years of age. By providing access to free checkout bags, Oregon recognizes the importance of ensuring that these vulnerable populations are not further burdened financially when accessing essential goods and services.
It is worth noting that while recycled paper checkout bags and reusable plastic checkout bags are exempt from the ban for WIC voucher customers, there are still guidelines in place for these bags. Recycled paper checkout bags must contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled fiber, and reusable plastic bags should be thicker than four millimeters to ensure durability and reduce the likelihood of single-use disposal.
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Oregon cities like Bend and Lincoln have also implemented their own plastic bag bans
Oregon has been at the forefront of addressing plastic pollution, and its efforts to reduce plastic waste have been supported by its residents. The state adopted a single-use plastic bag ban in 2019, which went into effect on January 1, 2020. The ban applies to all retail, grocery, and convenience stores, as well as restaurants, and includes plastic bags thinner than four millimeters.
However, Oregon cities like Bend and Lincoln have also implemented their own plastic bag bans and initiatives to reduce plastic waste. The City of Bend encourages residents to bring their own shopping bags with the slogan, "Bring your bag, Bend!". Similarly, Lincoln City has been proactive in addressing food service products made of foamed polystyrene, which can leach toxins. In 2020, Lincoln City passed an ordinance ahead of the statewide ban on Styrofoam, demonstrating its commitment to reducing plastic pollution.
The efforts of these cities complement the state-level actions in Oregon, such as the work of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which is responsible for overseeing the implementation and reporting related to the single-use bag ban. The DEQ is also tasked with collecting reports from grocery retailers regarding the $0.05 bag fee imposed by the state legislation.
The momentum to reduce plastic waste in Oregon is strong, and there is public support for moving away from unnecessary single-use plastics. Organizations like Environment Oregon and the Northwest Grocery Association have actively campaigned and testified in support of legislation to reduce plastic pollution. As a result, Oregon is known for its iconic coastline and beautiful scenery, and its efforts to protect the environment are making a positive impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Oregon banned single-use plastic bags in 2020.
The ban was implemented to reduce plastic pollution and waste, as well as for safety reasons. Plastic bags can cause issues in recycling equipment and endanger workers.
Retailers and grocery stores can provide paper bags for a fee of at least 5 cents per bag. Reusable bags, including thick plastic or fabric bags, can also be provided for a similar fee.
Retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants may provide recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags at no cost to customers with a WIC voucher or electronic benefits transfer card.
