Plastic Bag Bans
Alaska
Bethel
City officials voted in July 2009 to ban plastic bags and takeout containers. The ban went into effect in September 2010.
Fairbanks
In September 2009, Fairbanks adopted a 5 cent price requirement on plastic bags. This was rescinded one month later.
Homer
In August 2012, Homer adopted a plastic bag ban. Effective January 1, 2013. A voter initiative to repeal the ban passed by a narrow margin in October 2013.
Hooper Bay
The plastic bag ban in Hooper Bay went into effect in August 2010.
Arizona
Bisbee
In September 2013, the City of Bisbee banned plastic bags and placed a five cent charge per paper bag in all stores. Effective April 22, 2014. Prior to this, in December 2012 the city had piloted a voluntary bag reduction period.
California
Alameda County and City, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) adopted its ordinance banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent price requirement on paper and reusable bags in January of 2012. It went into effect on January 1, 2013 in unincorporated Alameda County as well as its 14 incorporated cities.
Arcata
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent charge per paper bag. The ban goes into effect in all retail stores February 1, 2014, with the charge going into effect August 1, 2014.
Belmont
Belmont adopted the Reusable Bag Ordinance in January of 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Belvedere
The City adopted a plastic bag ban on June 9, 2014. Applies to grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are allowed with a minimum 10 cent charge each. Effective in large supermarkets and drugstores in January 2015, and in all other stores in July 2015.
Brisbane
The City adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 18, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Burlingame
Burlingame adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 18, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Calabasas
The Calabasas City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a minimum ten cent price requirement on paper bags in February 2011.
Calistoga
The City adopted an ordinance in August of 2014 to restrict single-use plastic carryout bags and place a small charge on paper bags in all retail stores and restaurants. Effective 1/1/15.
Campbell
The City adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance on July 16, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 1/27/14.
Capitola
In January 2013, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a 25 cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores. Effective April 2013.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores on July 3, 2012. It went into effect on February 3, 2013.
Carpinteria
Carpinteria adopted the first double bag ban in California on March 12, 2012. Starting in July 2012, large retailers as specified are prohibited from distributing single-use paper and plastic bags. Starting in April 2013, plastic bags banned in all other retail stores.
Chico
On May 20, 2014, the Chico City Council adopted a plastic grocery bag ban with a 10 cent charge per paper bag. Effective in grocery and drug stores January 1, 2015, and in convenience and smaller markets one year later.
Colma
Colma Town Council adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on January 9, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Culver City
On May 28, 2013, Culver City adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent charge on paper bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Effective 12/28/13.
Cupertino
Cupertino adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 5, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 10/1/13.
Daly City
The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in January 2013. Operative 4/22/13.
Dana Point
The City of Dana Point adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags from all retail stores within city limits on March 6, 2012. Effective in larger stores April 1, 2013, and all other stores October 1, 2013.
Danville
The Town adopted a plastic bag ban in all stores and restaurants on December 16, 2014. Effective July 1, 2016.
Davis
The Council adopted a plastic bag ban on November 12, 2013. Paper and reusable bags would be available for a small charge. Effective in all stores and restaurants on July 1, 2014. Amended in May 2014.
Desert Hot Springs
Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on March 18, 2014. Effective in supermarket and drug stores by mid September 2014, and in all other stores six months later.
East Palo Alto
On April 2, 2013, the City of East Palo Alto adopted the San Mateo County's Reusable Bag Ordinance (ban on plastic bags and charge on paper or reusable bags in all retail stores). Effective October 2, 2013.
El Cerrito
On September 17, 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Effective January 1, 2014.
Encinitas
The Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores on September 10, 2014. Effective in grocery stores on April 10, 2015, and all other stores and farmers markets by October 10, 2015.
Fairfax
Fairfax adopted its ban on plastic bags August 2007. After a legal challenge by the plastic industry, Fairfax voters overwhelmingly adopted a plastic bag ban by initiative in November 2008.
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg banned plastic bags and required a 10 cent paper bag charge in all retail stores. The ordinance was adopted May 14, 2012. Effective in large stores December 10, 2012, expanding to all other stores December 2013.
Foster City
Foster City adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on January 7, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Glendale
The City of Glendale adopted a bag ordinance in January of 2013. Similar to LA County's ordinance, it bans plastic bags and places a 10 cent charge on paper bags. Effective in larger stores and farmer's markets starting 7/1/13 and expanded to other covered stores 1/1/14.
Gonzales
The City of Gonzales' bag ordinance, banning plastic bags and placing a minimum 25 cent charge on paper or reusable bags, was adopted July 7, 2014. Effective 1/1/15 in all retail stores.
Grass Valley
A plastic bag ban is effective in all retail stores in Grass Valley starting 1/1/15. Adopted August 20, 2014.
Greenfield
An ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a minimum 25 cent charge on other bags was adopted August 12, 2014. Effective in all retail stores/restaurants 2/12/15.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on March 5, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Hercules
The Hercules City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a charge on paper and reusable bags in September of 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting in 2015.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge per paper bag on April 1, 2013. Applies to all grocery, drug, and convenience stores starting November 1, 2013.
Indio
Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on May 15, 2014. Effective in grocery stores starting November 14, 2014 and in all retail stores by May 14, 2015.
King City
Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent paper/reusable bag charge in all retail stores on September 9, 2014. Effective 1/1/15.
Lafayette
The Council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores and restaurants on December 8, 2014. Grocery, drug, and convenience stores can distribute paper bags with a minimum 10 cent charge. Effective 7/1/15.
Laguna Beach
In February 2012, the Laguna Beach City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience/liquor stores must include a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags distributed. Effective 1/1/13.
Larkspur
On May 7, 2014, the council adopted a plastic bag ban in grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are available for purchase with a small charge. Effective November 2014.
Long Beach
On May 17, 2011, the City of Long Beach passed a bag ordinance with a 5-0 vote. It banned single-use plastic bags and placed a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. The ordinance went into effect in larger stores starting in August 2011, and expanded to others stores in 2012.
Los Altos
The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 7/4/13.
Los Angeles City
In June 2013, the LA City Council adopted a bag ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and placing a 10 cent charge on paper bags. Effective for large supermarkets in January 2014, and expanded to drug stores, convenience stores, and other supermarkets in July 2014.
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County banned plastic bags and placed a 10 cent minimum price requirement on recycled paper bags in November 2010. It was first effective in July 2011, and expanded to all other stores in January 2012 throughout unincorporated County areas.
Los Gatos
In September 2013, the Los Gatos Town Council adopted a ban ordinance based on the San Mateo County ordinance (ban on plastic bags, initial 10 cent charge per paper or reusable bags in all retail stores). Effective 2/3/14.
Malibu
The Malibu City Council voted to ban plastic bags in May 2008.
Manhattan Beach
The Manhattan Beach City Council voted to ban plastic bags in July 2008. The CA Supreme Court overturned a legal challenge to the ordinance in July 2011 and the bag ordinance went into effect six months later. The council modified the ordinance in 2012 and again in 2014.
Marin County
Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance restricting the free distribution of single-use bags in January 2011, effective January 2012. Unincorporated County only.
Marina
The City adopted an ordinance on August 19, 2014, banning single-use plastic bags and placing a small charge on paper and reusable bags. Effective in all retail stores.
Martinez
The Martinez City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent minimum charge on paper or reusable bags on June 18, 2014. Effective January 1, 2015 in all retail stores and restaurants.
Mendocino County
The County Board of Supervisors adopted a plastic bag ban with a ten cent paper bag charge on June 12, 2012. Effective in large stores in January 2013, and all other retailers in January 2014. Amendments to expand the ordinance to restaurants was adopted February 25, 2014, effective August 12, 2014. Unincorporated County areas only.
Menlo Park
Menlo Park adopted the Reusable Bag Ordinance (San Mateo County Ordinance) on January 22, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 4/22/13.
Mill Valley
The City adopted a bag ordinance on October 21, 2013. Plastic bag ban with five cent charge on paper/reusable bags in grocery, convenience, and drug stores.
Millbrae
On February 14, 2012, the Millbrae City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent requirement on paper bags. The ordinance goes into effect on September 1, 2012 in all retail establishments, except for restaurants, non-profits, and dry-cleaners.
Monrovia
The Monrovia City Council adopted a bag ordinance on July 1, 2014. Grocery, drug, and convenience stores cannot distribute single-use plastic carryout bags, and paper bags have a minimum ten cent charge requirement. Enforced 1/1/15.
Monterey
The Monterey City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on December 6, 2011. The ordinance bans plastic bags and places an initial 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags for the first year (25 cents after).
Monterey County
On August 26, 2014, the County Board of Supervisors adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent charge on paper and reusable bags in all retail stores.
Mountain View
In December 2012, the City of Mountain View adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance (San Mateo County Ordinance). Ban on plastic bags and charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Effective 4/22/13.
Napa
The City adopted a bag ordinance on August 5, 2014. Paper bags are allowed with a ten cent minimum charge. Effective 1/1/14 in all retail stores.
Nevada City
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ordinance on June 25, 2014, effective January 1, 2015 in all retail stores. Single-use plastic bags are prohibited. Paper and reusable bags may be purchased for ten cents each.
Novato
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag in March 2014. Effective in grocery, convenience, and drug stores.
Ojai
Ojai adopted a plastic bag ban on April 10, 2012. Grocery stores may distribute paper bags with 10 cent price requirement. Effective July 1, 2012 in all retail stores.
Pacific Grove
The City adopted a bag ordinance on August 20, 2014. All retail stores are prohibited from distributing single-use paper bags, but may distribute paper bags with a 10 cent price requirement. Effective 3/1/2015.
Pacifica
In December 2012, the City of Pacifica adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance (San Mateo County Ordinance). Ban on plastic bags and charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Effective 4/22/13.
Palm Desert
A plastic bag ban in all stores with a ten cent charge on reusable paper bags was adopted May 8, 2014. It will go into effect in large stores starting in April 2015, and cover smaller stores by October 2015.
Palm Springs
Council adopted a plastic bag ban with ten cent paper bag charge on April 2, 2014. Effective in supermarket and drug stores by November 2014, and in all other stores by May 2015.
Palo Alto
In 2013, the Palo Alto City Council adopted an expansion of a 2009 ordinance to include all stores and restaurants under its plastic bag ban. Paper and reusable bags would be available with a minimum charge. Previously, the ordinance only applied to plastic bags at large supermarkets.
Pasadena
In November of 2011, the Pasadena City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. Effective July 1, 2012 for large stores and supermarkets and December 2012 for convenience stores.
Pico Rivera
On October 28, 2014, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper. Effective in large grocery and drug stores on July 1, 2016, and in other convenience and grocery stores the following
year.
Pittsburg
On October 21, 2013, the Council adopted a bag ordinance, effective in all retail stores by 1/15/14. Plastic carryout bags are prohibited, and paper and reusable bags are allowed with a small charge.
Portola Valley
The Town adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in January 2013. Effective 4/22/13.
Redwood City
The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 10/1/13.
Richmond
The City adopted the first bag ordinance in Contra Costa County on July 16, 2013. All retail stores will be prohibited from using single-use plastic carryout bags and may sell paper or reusable bags for a small charge. Effective 1/1/14.
Ross
The council adopted a plastic bag ban on September 11, 2014. Applies to grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Paper and reusable bags are allowed with a minimum 10 cent charge each. Effective in large supermarkets and drugstores in April 2015, and in all other stores in October 2015.
Salinas
The City adopted a plastic bag ban on August 26, 2014 in all retail stores. Paper and reusable bags may be sold for a ten cent minimum charge for customers who wish to purchase them.
San Anselmo
The Town adopted a single-use plastic bag ban with 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags, effective January 1, 2015 in grocery, drug, and convenience stores.
San Bruno
The City adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in January 2013. Operative 4/22/13.
San Carlos
San Carlos adopted the San Mateo County model ordinance (plastic bag ban, charge on paper or reusables) in March 2013. Operative 7/1/13.
San Francisco
San Francisco became the first city in the nation to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in April 2007. In February of 2012, the Board of Supervisors voted to expand the ordinance to more stores.
San Jose
San Jose City Council passed a ban on plastic bags in December 2010 in all retail stores. It went into effect in January 2012. Paper bags sold at 10 cents each.
San Luis Obispo County and City, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach
The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority adopted a plastic bag ban with a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in January of 2012. It went into effect on 10/1/12 in all seven incorporated cities as well as unincorporated areas of the county.
San Mateo City
The City adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on May 6, 2013. Effective June 6, 2013. Plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags (increasing to 25 cents on 1/1/2015).
San Mateo County
The Board of Supervisors adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance on November 6, 2012. Effective 4/22/13 in unincorporated County areas. Plastic bag ban with a 10 cent charge on paper and reusable bags (increased to 25 cents on 1/1/2015).
San Pablo
The City adopted a plastic bag ban and 5 cent charge per paper or reusable bag (to increase to 10 cents after two years) on October 8, 2013. Effective 1/1/14 in all retail stores.
San Rafael
City council adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent charge per paper or reusable bag on 3/3/14. Effective in grocery, drug, and convenience stores starting 9/15/14.
Santa Barbara City
A plastic bag ban and ten cent paper bag charge was adopted on October 15, 2013. Effective in supermarkets and drugstores in mid April 2014, and in convenience stores by 10/15/14.
Santa Clara City
A plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag was adopted on September 23, 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting December 1, 2014.
Santa Clara County
On April 26, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 15 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. It became effective January 1, 2012.
Santa Cruz City
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent paper bag charge on July 24. Effective in all retail stores starting April 2013.
Santa Cruz County
On September 13, 2011, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a single-use bag ordinance. It bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags throughout unincorporated county areas. Effective March 20, 2012. An expansion of the plastic bag ban to restaurants was adopted in October 2012 and went into effect April 22, 2013.
Santa Monica
The Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted for a ban on single-use plastic bags and a cost pass-through requirement per recyclable paper bag in January 2011.
Santa Rosa
The City Council adopted a bag ordinance in February 2014, similar to the Sonoma County WMA bag ordinance (plastic bag ban in all retail stores, minimum ten cent paper bag charge). Effective September 1, 2014.
Sausalito
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper or reusable bag in March 2014. Effective in grocery, convenience, and drug stores.
Seaside
The City Council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent minimum charge per paper/reusable bag on August 21, 2014. Effective in all retail stores September 20, 2015.
Solana Beach
On May 9, 2012, Solana Beach became the first city in San Diego County to adopt a plastic bag ban. Paper bags can be purchased for ten cents each under the ordinance.
Soledad
The Council adopted a single-use plastic bag ban and ten cent charge per paper or reusable bag in all retail stores on October 1, 2014. Effective May 1, 2015.
Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (Sonoma City and County, Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Windsor)
The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency adopted a plastic grocery bag ban on February 19, 2014. Effective in all retail stores starting September 1, 2014. Paper grocery bags may be purchased for ten cents each.
South Lake Tahoe
On October 15, 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores and restaurants. First effective on 1/15/14, and effective in all stores by 10/15/14.
South Pasadena
The City adopted an ordinance phasing out single-use plastic grocery bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores as well as farmers' markets in May 2014. Operative in larger stores and farmers' markets starting October 2014, and in other covered stores December 2014. Minimum ten cent charge per paper bag.
South San Francisco
In December 2012, the City of South San Francisco adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance (San Mateo County Ordinance). Ban on plastic bags and charge on paper/reusable bags in all retail stores. Effective 4/22/13.
St Helena
The council adopted a plastic bag ban and ten cent charge per paper bag in all retail stores on August 26, 2014. Effective in large grocery stores 1/1/15, all other stores 7/1/15.
Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale passed a bag ordinance in December 2011. The ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and places a 10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags and reusable bags which later increases. Starting June 20, 2012 it covers grocery and convenience stores and large retailers, and expands to cover all retailers by March 2013.
Tiburon
The Town adopted a plastic bag ban in supermarkets, drug and convenience stores on September 3, 2014.
Truckee
The Town of Truckee adopted an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags on November 25, 2013. Effective in all retail stores June 1, 2014. Paper and reusable bags can be sold for ten cents each.
Ukiah
City Council adopted an ordinance on May 2, 2012 banning plastic bags and placing a 10 cent charge on paper bags in all retail stores. The ban is operative starting in large stores within six months of adoption.
Walnut Creek
In March of 2014, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum paper bag charge in all retail stores and restaurants.
Watsonville
On May 8, 2012, Watsonville became the first city in Santa Cruz County to ban plastic bags in all retail stores. An initial 10 cent charge on paper bags mandated to increase to 25 cents after the first year.
West Hollywood
City Council adopted a plastic bag ban with 10 cent paper charge on August 20, 2012. Effective in large stores six months later, all other retail stores one year later.
Colorado
Aspen
The city of Aspen banned plastic bags and placed a 20 cent charge on paper bags in October 2011. It is effective in May 2012 in the city's two grocery stores.
Basalt
The city of Basalt passed an ordinance placing a 20 cent charge on both single-use plastic and paper bags in September 2011. It would have been effective May 2012 in grocery stores but was narrowly overturned by a voter referendum in April 2012.
Boulder
A bag ordinance was adopted in November 2012, requiring grocery stores to charge ten cents per plastic or paper bag. Effective 7/1/13.
Carbondale
The Carbondale Board of Trustees approved an ordinance in October 2011. Like Aspen's ordinance, it bans plastic bags and places a 20 cent charge on paper bags in grocery stores with 3,500 square feet or more. A referendum placed the ordinance on the ballot in April 2012 and voters in Carbondale affirmed the Trustees' decision. Effective May 2012.
Durango
The Council adopted a single use bag ordinance in August 2013. Starting March 1, 2014, grocery stores would be required to charge 10 cents per single use bag. A voter initiative to repeal the ban passed by a small margin in November 2013.
Fort Collins
The council adopted a five cent charge per each single-use bag in retail stores in the summer of 2014. Effective April 1, 2015.
Telluride
The town of Telluride, CO banned plastic bags in October 2010. The ban went into effect March 2011, with a 10 cent price requirement on paper bags.
Connecticut
Westport
In September 2008, Westport became the first Connecticut city to ban plastic bags.
District of Columbia
Washington
The District of Columbia Council voted June 2009 to require retailers to charge a $0.05 fee on all carryout bags.
Hawaii
Hawaii County
The Big Island of Hawaii banned single-use plastic bags in January 2012.
Honolulu County
Honolulu banned plastic bags in May 2012. Effective July 1, 2012.
Kauai County
Kauai banned plastic bags in October 2009. The ordinance became effective on January 11, 2011.
Maui County
Maui banned plastic bags in August 2008. The ordinance became effective on January 11, 2011.
Illinois
Chicago
Passed April 30th, 2014. Effective August 2015 for retailers of more than 10,000 square feet. The ban will extend to smaller chain stores and franchises August, 2016. Small independent or non-franchise stores and restaurants will not be affected.
Evanston
On July 28, the Evanston City Council approved an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags in stores larger than 10,000 square feet. The ordinance went into effect August 1, 2015.
Iowa
Marshall County
Marshall County passed a single-use plastic bag ordinance for its Unincorporated areas in April, 2009. The ban allows stores to instead provide biodegradable, recycled paper, or reusable bags to customers. Effective October, 2009.
Maine
Portland
In 2014, Portland adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use bag in grocery stores. Effective April 15, 2015.
Maryland
Montgomery County
The County followed the example of the neighboring District of Columbia and passed a 5 cent minimum price requirement on single-use plastic and paper bags in May 2011. It is effective January 2012. Applies to all retailers.
Chestertown
Passed April 4th, 2011, the Chestertown ordinance bans plastic bags and restricts the distribution of paper bags for all retail establishments. Operative January, 2012.
Massachusetts
Brookline
The Town of Brookline banned plastic bags from large grocery and retail stores by a vote of 142-53 in November 2012. Effective December 1, 2013.
Falmouth
On November 18, 2014, the town banned single use carryout plastic bags (thinner than 2.25 mils) from all retail stores and restaurants. Effective 18 months after adoption.
Great Barrington
The plastic bag ban was approved in May 2013, effective January 2014.
Manchester
The ordinance was approved in April 2013 at the city's annual town meeting. Effective July 1st, 2013.
Marblehead
A ban on single-use plastic bags and EPS food containers was passed through a town meeting May 5th, 2014. The law will be phased in within one year.
Nantucket
The small town of nantucket banned non-biodegradable single use bags in 1990.
Provincetown
The town banned plastic bags thinner than 1.5 mils in October of 2014. Effective April 2015.
New Mexico
Santa Fe
In 2013 Santa Fe adopted a plastic bag ban and 10 cent minimum charge per paper bag in all retail stores. Before the ban went into effect, the charge was rescinded.
Silver City
On July 8th, 2014 the Silver City Town council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance banning single use plastic carryout bags at all retail establishments. After December 8, 2014 merchants can only provide paper or reusable bags for a self-determined fee.
New York
East Hampton
In August 2011, the East Hampton Village Board approved a plastic bag ban. Effective February 2012.
Hastings-on-Hudson
A plastic bag and polystyrene ban were adopted in June of 2014. Effective 2015.
Larchmont
The Village banned plastic bags in March of 2013. Effective October 1, 2013.
Mamaroneck
In mid July 2012, the Mamaroneck Board of Trustees approved a plastic bag ban. Effective in six months.
New Paltz Village
The Village Board passed a plastic bag ban in November 2014. Effective April 2015.
Rye
In December 2011, the Rye City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban at all retail stores. Effective May 7, 2012.
Southampton
In April 2011, the Southampton Village Board unanimously approved a ban on non-biodegradable bags for retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. Effective November 6, 2011.
North Carolina
Hyde, Currituck and Dare Counties
The North Carolina Legislatures banned plastic in the Barrier Islands in June 2009. The ban was extended to all businesses in the three counties in 2010.
Oregon
Corvallis
City Council approved a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag on July 2, 2012.
Eugene
City Council approved a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag on October 22, 2012. Effective May 1, 2013.
Portland
Portland became the first city in Oregon to adopt a ban on plastic bags in July 2011, after the state legislature failed to pass a statewide ban. Effective October 15, 2011. An amendment to include all other retail stores and restaurants goes into effect in two stages on March 1, 2013 and October 1, 2013.
Rhode Island
Barrington
City Council approved the first plastic bag ban in the state in October 2012. Effective January 1, 2013 in all retail stores and restaurants. Sunsets January 31, 2015 unless the council revisits the ordinance.
Texas
Austin
In March 2012, Austin City Council adopted a sweeping ban on single-use plastic and paper bags in all business establishments. Effective 3/1/13.
Brownsville
The City of Brownsville became the first in its state to restrict plastic bags in 2009 with a $1 charge per transaction. The ordinance became effective January 2011. (See Municipal Code, Chapter 46, Article II, Section 46).
Dallas
The Dallas City Council approved a bag ordinance on March 26, 2014. Single use bags in every retail store must include a five cent charge. Effective January 1, 2015.
Fort Stockton
In 2010, the City of Fort Stockton banned single-use plastic bags from stores, effective September 2011 (See Municipal Code, Article I, Section 12-9).
Freer
On December 10, 2012, the city council adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. The ban became mandatory on June 2, 2013.
Kermit
Effective October 1, 2013, single use plastic bags are prohibited in Kermit grocery, convenience, and drug stores. Paper bags are permitted with a ten cent charge.
Laguna Vista
The Town of Laguna Vista adopted a plastic bag ban on September 11, 2012. Effective January 1, 2013.
Laredo
In August of 2013, the City Council adopted a plastic bag ban for all retail stores, effective January 10, 2015.
South Padre Island
In January 2011, South Padre Island passed a bag ordinance banning plastic single-use carryout bags that became effective in 2012.
Sunset Valley
Single use plastic bag ban passed in February 2013 for all retail stores. Effective 9/1/2013.
Washington
Bainbridge Island
In April 2012, the City of Bainbridge Island adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores. Paper bags are allowed with a five cent charge. Effective November 2012.
Bellingham
Bellingham banned plastic bags and placed a 5 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags in July 2011.
Edmonds
Edmonds banned plastic bags at all retail stores in July 2009.
Issaquah
In June 2012, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag in all retail stores. Effective in large stores 3/1/13, and smaller stores 3/1/14.
Lacey
In February 2014, the city adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/14.
Mukilteo
The City of Mukilteo banned plastic bags in December 2011. Effective 1/1/13.
Olympia
Olympia passed a plastic bag ban with five cent charge per paper bag in October 2013. Effective in all retail stores on 7/1/14.
Port Townsend
Council adopted a plastic bag ban with five cent charge on paper bag in July of 2012 for all stores. Effective 11/1/12.
Seattle
In December 2011, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags and putting a 5 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags. Effective 7/1/12. Previously, the Seattle City Council voted to require retailers to charge a $0.20 on all single-use carryout bags in July 2008. The ordinance was overturned by a plastic industry-financed initiative one year later.
Shoreline
In April 2013, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag. Effective 2/1/2014.
Thurston County
In September 2013, the Board adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/2014.
Tumwater
In September 2013, the Council adopted a plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag for all retail stores. Effective 7/1/2014.
