In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 states that banned plastic bags. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the statistics of plastic pollution, steps taken by the international community to counter it, companies working to promote bioplastics and problems faced by the U.S. states that banned plastic bags, head to 10 States that Banned Plastic Bags.
5. Oregon
The state assembly of Oregon passed the Sustainable Shopping Initiative in 2019, according to which, starting January 1st 2020, Oregon retail stores and restaurants could no longer provide single-use plastic bags to their customers. They must also collect at least a 5-cent fee for paper bags (with 40% or more post-consumer recycled content), reusable plastic bags (4 mils thick) and reusable paper bags, although restaurants could still provide paper bags at no cost. Local governments were also authorized to set a fee higher than 5 cents in their jurisdiction.
Oregon relaxed the ban on plastic bags temporarily during the pandemic, but now it has been enforced again and stores that don’t abide by the law can be reported and face a $250 fine.
4. Rhode Island
Although Rhode Island does not have a complete ban on single-use plastic bags yet, it has taken admirable steps to discourage their use. In 2008, the state assembly enacted a law to promote the use of paper bags by retailers. Retail establishments were obligated to offer the use of paper bags to their customers. Every retail establishment that provided customers with plastic bags was required to provide conveniently located receptacles, where customers could return their clean and dry plastic bags to be recycled. Failure to comply with these laws is punishable with fines up to $500.
Several towns and cities in the state of Rhode Island, such as Cranston, Bristol and Providence etc. have also introduced town-wide or city-wide bans on single-use plastic bags, by local legislation.
3. Hawaii
Hawaii has a de-facto statewide ban as all of its most populous counties prohibit non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout, as well as paper bags containing less than 40% recycled material. Bans in Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties took effect between 2011-2013, with Honolulu becoming the last major county to introduce the plastic bag ban in 2015.
On December 15, 2019, the island of Oahu, which is home to 72% of Hawaii’s population, introduced a law that banned nearly all takeout plastics over the next two years.
2. New Jersey
The Garden State also introduced a law according to which, starting May 4 2022, all retail stores, grocery stores and food service businesses were prohibited from providing or selling single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags were allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2500 feet. It was also stated that after November 4, 2021, plastic straws may only be provided upon the request of the customer.
1. California
In August 2014, California became the first state in the country to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retails stores. The bill also required a 10-cent minimum charge for recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags and compostable bags at certain locations.
California has also recently become the first state to ban grocery stores from providing single-use, non-compostable bags to shoppers before they reach the checkout counter. The ‘Pre-Checkout Bags’ are classified as those provided to customers prior to checkout and are meant to either protect items from damage or contamination, as well as contain an unwrapped food item, such as produce. The law will go into effect on Jan 1st, 2025.
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