Sofia Martinez
In 2021, Washington State banned single-use plastic bags in an attempt to reduce plastic waste. The ban came into effect on October 1, 2021, and applied to all food service businesses, including retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets. While the ban was intended to reduce plastic waste by changing shopping habits and encouraging the use of reusable bags, it has not significantly reduced the amount of plastic waste in the state. In 2025, Washington's Legislature passed a new law, ESHB 1293, which made changes to the state's single-use plastic bag ban, including increasing the thickness of plastic bags and delaying the required thickness increase from January 1, 2026, to 2028. The new law also increased the fees for plastic and paper bags and imposed higher fines for littering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags banned in Washington state | Single-use plastic bags |
| Plastic bag ban effective date | October 1, 2021 |
| Plastic bag ban goal | Reduce plastic waste and build a cleaner, greener future |
| Plastic bag ban impact | No significant reduction in total weight of plastic being recycled |
| Plastic bag ban loophole | Replacement with thicker "reusable" plastic bags at checkout for a fee |
| Plastic bag ban enforcement | 669 enforcement actions between October 2021 and July 2024 |
| Plastic bag ban fine | $250 for repeated violations |
| Plastic bag ban exemptions | Food banks, food assistance programs, plastic bags for bulk items, and approved compostable bags |
| Plastic bag fee | 12 cents for plastic, 8 cents for paper |
| Plastic bag thickness | Minimum of 2.25 mil until January 1, 2028, then increasing to 4 mil |
| Plastic bag penalty | Additional 4-cent charge for plastic bags 4 mil thick or greater from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027 |
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What You'll Learn
- The ban includes compostable bags at most commercial facilities
- Plastic bags for bulk items or to protect produce are exempt
- The ban does not apply to food banks and assistance programs
- Plastic bags with a thickness of 4 mils are subject to a 4-cent charge
- The ban has not significantly reduced the weight of plastic waste
The ban includes compostable bags at most commercial facilities
In Washington, the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags came into effect on October 1, 2021. The ban includes compostable bags at most commercial facilities. This means that compostable bags are not accepted at most commercial composting facilities in Washington.
The ban was an effort to reduce plastic pollution, litter, and waste. It was also intended to create consistent policy and fees across the state. The law prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags in all food service businesses, including retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets.
The ban does not apply to food banks and food assistance programs, but these programs are encouraged to reduce single-use plastic carryout bag usage. Plastic bags used in stores for bulk items or to protect certain items, such as vegetables, meat, flowers, etc., are also exempt.
The law imposes an $0.08 charge for large paper bags and thick reusable plastic bags, which must be labelled with post-consumer content specifications. Repeated violations can result in a $250 fine.
To promote the use of reusable bags, Washington residents will face higher prices for plastic bags. From January 1, 2026, retailers and restaurants must collect a 12-cent charge for plastic film carryout bags, with an additional 4-cent charge for bags 4 mil thick or greater, totalling 16 cents.
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Plastic bags for bulk items or to protect produce are exempt
In 2020, Washington passed a law banning single-use plastic bags. The ban came into effect in October 2021, with the goal of reducing plastic waste by changing shopping habits. The law requires retail establishments to offer paper bags or thicker, reusable plastic bags for sale to consumers. However, plastic bags for bulk items or to protect produce are exempt from the ban.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is responsible for enforcing the plastic bag ban. The ban applies to all food service businesses, including retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets. An $0.08 charge is required for all large paper bags and thick reusable plastic bags, and retailers must show all bag charges on customer receipts. The law also specifies that produce bags and thick reusable plastic bags cannot be printed with the words "biodegradable", "degradable", or "decomposable".
While most grocery stores and retail sellers have adopted the use of reusable plastic bags and the associated fees, not all stores were initially compliant with the ban. The state took 669 enforcement actions between October 2021 and July 2024, with the highest number of non-compliance reports coming during the first few months of the ban. Repeated non-compliance can result in a $250 fine.
In May 2025, Washington passed a new law, ESHB 1293, which makes changes to the state's single-use plastic bag ban starting in January 2026. The new law increases the fee for plastic film carryout bags given to customers to $0.12, while the charge for paper bags remains at $0.08. Retailers and restaurants that distribute plastic bags that are 4-mil thick or greater must apply an additional $0.04 charge, with this penalty in effect until December 2027. The revenue from this additional charge must be deposited into the Washington State waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account.
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The ban does not apply to food banks and assistance programs
Washington State passed a law in 2020 banning single-use plastic bags. The ban came into effect in October 2021 and applies to all food service businesses, including retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets. The law also imposes an $0.08 charge for all large paper bags and thick reusable plastic bags. However, the ban does not apply to food banks and food assistance programs.
Food banks and assistance programs are exempt from the plastic bag ban in Washington State. This exemption ensures that these vital programs can continue to provide necessary services to those in need without facing additional financial burdens or logistical challenges. While the exemption allows food banks and assistance programs to use single-use plastic carryout bags, they are strongly encouraged to reduce their reliance on these bags and explore more sustainable alternatives.
The fee for plastic bags may not be collected from individuals using vouchers or electronic benefits cards issued under various assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Food Assistance Program (FAP). This exemption ensures that individuals and families relying on these programs are not burdened by additional costs for their essential food purchases.
While food banks and assistance programs are exempt, they often voluntarily adopt sustainable practices. Some programs may choose to offer reusable bags to their clients or encourage the use of reusable bags through educational initiatives. These programs recognize the importance of environmental stewardship and strive to balance their operational needs with sustainable practices whenever possible.
The plastic bag ban in Washington State, including the exemption for food banks and assistance programs, is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic pollution, litter, and waste. By encouraging the use of reusable bags and reducing the distribution of single-use plastic bags, the state aims to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for its residents and future generations.
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Plastic bags with a thickness of 4 mils are subject to a 4-cent charge
Washington State has implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags, effective from October 1, 2021. The goal of this legislation is to reduce plastic waste and create consistent policies and fees across the state. The ban applies to all food service businesses, including retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets.
While most businesses have transitioned to reusable bags, some have taken advantage of a loophole that allows them to offer thicker, allegedly "reusable" plastic bags for a fee. These thicker bags, often used only once before disposal, have contributed to an increase in the weight of plastic waste.
To address this issue, Washington's Legislature passed a new law, ESHB 1293, in 2025. This law introduces changes to the state's single-use plastic bag ban, effective from January 1, 2026. One significant change is the requirement for retailers and restaurants to collect a 12-cent charge for plastic film carryout bags provided to customers.
Additionally, the law includes an additional 4-cent charge for plastic bags with a thickness of 4 mils or greater. This penalty will be in effect from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The 4-cent penalty must be deposited into the Washington State waste reduction, recycling, and litter control account, as specified in Chapter 70A.200.140 RCW. This additional charge aims to discourage the use of thicker plastic bags and promote a reduction in plastic waste.
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$13.89
The ban has not significantly reduced the weight of plastic waste
Washington State passed a law banning single-use plastic bags in 2020, which came into effect in October 2021. The goal was to reduce plastic waste and litter by changing shopping habits. However, there is conflicting evidence about the ban's effectiveness in reducing plastic waste. While some reports suggest that the ban has not significantly reduced the weight of plastic waste, others claim that it has been effective in reducing waste and litter.
A study by Waste Connections found little change in the total weight of plastic being recycled since the ban was implemented. The study sampled what customers were putting into their recycling carts and weighed the amount of plastic. It was observed that while shoppers may be using fewer plastic bags, the weight of discarded plastic has not decreased significantly because the reusable bags are heavier. This suggests that the ban has not had the desired impact on reducing plastic waste in terms of weight.
On the other hand, a report by Environment America analyzed studies from across the country and found that bag bans in five locations with a population of over 12 million people cut single-use plastic bag consumption by about 6 billion bags per year. The report also noted that as of 2021, more than 500 cities and towns across 28 states had a plastic bag ordinance in effect, and twelve states had some form of statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, including Washington. The report concluded that bag bans are effective in reducing plastic waste and litter.
It is worth noting that the Washington State bag ban has some loopholes, such as allowing businesses to provide thicker, allegedly "reusable" plastic bags at checkout for a fee. This has led to concerns that people may only use these thicker bags once before throwing them away, potentially increasing the weight of plastic waste. Additionally, the ban does not apply to food banks and food assistance programs, although these programs are encouraged to reduce single-use plastic bag usage.
While the ban on single-use plastic bags in Washington State is a step towards reducing plastic waste, it may require further refinement to address loopholes and ensure a significant reduction in the weight of plastic waste. Increasing the fee for reusable bags, for instance, could be a motivating factor for shoppers to remember to bring their own bags and reduce plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Washington state banned single-use plastic bags in 2021.
The ban was intended to reduce plastic waste by changing shopping habits and encouraging the use of reusable bags.
The ban went into effect on October 1, 2021.
Yes, there is a $250 fine for repeated violations of the ban. Additionally, retailers who sell reusable plastic bags with a thickness of at least 4 mils before 2028 will be penalized 4 cents per bag.
Plastic bags sold in packages containing multiple bags intended for use as garbage bags or to contain pet waste are exempt. Additionally, approved compostable food and yard waste bags are also exempt.
