The single-use plastic ban in Washington State takes effect on October 1, 2021.
The ban was originally scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2021, but due to the limited supply of compliance bags, Governor Jay Inslee postponed the ban.
When the law becomes effective on October 1, it will:
Prohibit single-use plastic carryout bags in all retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals, and markets.
Require an 8-cent charge for all recycled content paper carryout bags and reusable carryout bags made of film plastic.
The fee may not be collected from anyone using a voucher or electronic benefits card issued under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Temporary Assitance for Needy Families (TANF), or Food Assistance Program (FAP).
Require a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content and meet composting requirements in all retail-provided paper bags.
Require that a reusable bag made of plastic film contain 20% post-consumer recycled content and be at least 2.25 mil thick.
Require compliant paper and reusable plastic film bags to be labeled with the above specifications
Create consistent policy and fees across the state.
This ban does not apply to food banks and food assistance programs, however, those programs are encouraged to take actions to reduce the use of single-use plastic carryout bags.
