Plastic Bag Ban to Take Effect in Washington on Oct. 1

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The ban on single-use plastic bags will come into effect this Friday, Oct. 1 in Washington. The ban, originally scheduled to begin in January this year, has been delayed on account of supply issues in connection with Covid-19 pandemic. The ban prohibits retailers across the state from issuance of single-use plastic bags.

Accordingly, customers would have to bring their own reusable bags for shopping. The retail stores will provide them with reusable bags, but at a charge of 8 cents per bag, which they will be allowed to keep with them to recover the bag cost. The state rule requires paper bags to have at least 40% recycled content. People are encouraged to use reusable bags made of plastic film that contains 20% post-consumer recycled content.

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The proposed ban will be applicable to all retail and grocery stores, restaurants, takeout establishments, festivals and markets. On the contrary, it will not be applicable to food banks and pantries and people receiving food stamps or other government assistance. Also exempted are plastics to wrap meats and produce, prescription, newspaper, laundry bags etc.

As per rough estimates, Washington consumes more than 2 billion single-use plastic bags every year, with most of them ending up contaminating waterways, roadways and environment.