Senate Gives Final Approval to Washington's Plastic Bag Ban

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Washington Senate has passed Senate Bill 5323 which aims to reduce pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments. The lawmakers added an 8-cent fee on paper bags, in an amendment to the original bill. The bill will now head to Governor’s desk for final approval signature.

The bill targets plastic bags distributed at grocery shops. The bill allows usage of reusable thicker plastic bags, which will be subject to an 8-cent fee currently. This fee would increase to 12 cents in 2026. The residents who rely on food assistance programs will be exempt from paying the above fees. The passage of the state law prescribing 8-cent fee supersedes all jurisdictions with existing 5-cent fee.

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The plastic bags for bulk fruit, nuts, small hardware items, those used to wrap frozen food or flowers and those intended for pet waste are exempted from the ban.

The bil received bipartisan support on hopes that it would trigger paper bag demand, which in turn will revive the state’s paper and pulp industry. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mona Das, received strong support from the environmental community as well as large and small grocers.