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1. Who does the ban apply to?

• All retail, grocery, and convenience stores.
• Any restaurant or establishment offering take-out or delivery food or goods.
• Temporary stores or vendors..
• Any event where food or goods are sold or distributed

2. When did the ban go into effect?

October 1, 2021

3. What kind of bags are banned?

Any single-use, plastic carry-out bag provided at delivery, check stand, cash register, point of sale, or other point of departure to a customer.

4. What kind of bags are allowed?

• Paper bags made of at least 40% post-consumer recycled content. Paper bags must be labeled with their post-consumer recycled content.
• Plastic bags made of at least 20% post-consumer recycled content made of plastic film at least 2.25 mil think. These plastic bags must be labeled "Reusable," including post-consumer recycled content.

5. Are there any restrictions on customers bringing their own bags?

No. Customers are encouraged to bring and reuse their own bags when they shop. Some businesses may require customers to bag their own groceries in reusable bags. Customers should clean and disinfect their hands and reusable bags frequently.

6. What are the exceptions to the single-use plastic bag ban?

Exceptions to the single-use plastic bag ban include those used by consumers inside stores for:

• Bulk items
• Produce
• Frozen food
• Meat
• Fish
• Flowers
• Potted plants
• Prepared food or bakery goods
• Prescription drugs

These bags are also exempt:

• Newspaper bags
• Mailing pouches
• Sealed envelopes
• Door hanger bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Bags sold in packages with multiple bags, like food storage, garbage, or pet waste

7. What about compostable bags?

Compostable film bags for products bagged in stores before checkout must meet the requirements for compostable products and film bags in Chapter 70.360 RCW.

Businesses are allowed to give the bags to customers at checkout, with an optional fee. However, the Washington State Department of Ecology can't currently recommend their use, because Washington lacks uniform composting infrastructure. 

8. What are the requirements for reusable heavy-duty plastic bags sold in-store?

Reusable film plastic bags must contain a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled content until July 1, 2022, and thereafter must be made from a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content.

The percentage of post-consumer recycled content, the mil thickness, and "Reusable" must be displayed in print on the outside of the plastic bag. Bags meeting these requirements are still subject to the 8-cent charge.

9. What is a “mil” (as in the 2.25 mil requirements for reusable plastic bags)?

A mil is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. One mil also equals 0.0254 mm (millimeter). Reusable plastic bags sold for 8 cents under the new bag ban are required to be at least 2.25 mil and this requirement will increase to 4 mil beginning in 2026.

10. Why did the state ban lightweight plastic carryout bags but allow heavyweight, thicker ones?

The thicker, stronger plastic bags — those more than 2.25 mil thick — have special uses for which paper is not a good option or not readily available. These bags must still be made of at least 20% post-consumer recycled content and have the recycled content printed on the outside of the bag. In 2025, the required thickness increases to 4 mil.

11. What happens to the carryout bag fee?

Businesses collect and keep this fee, to recover some of the cost of providing the bags.

12. How will this ban be enforced?

Anyone will be able to report a business using prohibited bags through Washington State Department of Ecology's webpage, starting in 2021. Washington State Department of Ecology will review complaints and respond by providing the non-compliant business with additional information, resources, and technical assistance. Though Washington State Department of Ecology intends to respond whenever possible with assistance in gaining compliance, repeated and continuous non-compliance may result in up to a $250 fine.

13. How are low-income residents impacted?

All residents are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags, however, to ease the impact on low-income customers, retailers must waive the carryout bag fee for customers paying with a voucher or electronic benefits card issued under:

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) support programs
• Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Washington State Food Assistance Program (FAP)

The Plastic Bag Ban does not apply to food banks and other food assistance programs, but these organizations are encouraged to reuse bags whenever possible.

14. What are some tips for remembering to bring reusable bags to the store?

• Place a reminder sticker by your door or in your vehicle
• Keep bags in the front of the vehicle where you can see them
• Make "bring bags" the first item on your grocery list
• Designate someone to be in charge of remembering bags, if you shop with others
• Store multiple bags inside each other so you can grab them easily
• Put small bags in your backpack, shoulder bag or purse
• Let the carryout bag fee be a reminder to bring your bag

15. How do I recycle plastic bags?

Plastic bags are accepted for recycling at many grocery stores.  Visit plasticfilmrecycling.com for locations.