Posted by Michael A. on 6th Oct 2019
States Take Action on Harmful Plastics, Say “No” It’s the Law!
A multiyear awareness effort by National Geographic Society entitled “Planet or Plastic?[1]” has outlined several online articles that showcase eight different states; California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, Delaware, and Vermont, that have introduce legislative laws prohibiting or regulating single-use plastics.
Reducing single use-plastics can help alleviate the harmful impacts that plastic pollution has on our planet’s water ways, plants, wildlife, and people. It can also ease the pressure on waste management systems by keeping landfills from filling up with plastics and left-over chemical residues that can last a life time.
According to APR (The Association Of Plastic Recyclers), several US states have implemented well-regulated recycling programs such as “mandatory plastic bottle recycling[2]” where all plastics bottles must be recycled. Other states have enforced “container deposit laws[3]” in which minimum refundable deposits are required to be provided for several different beverage container types (plastic, aluminum, glass).
Out of these states California was one of the first states that implement legislation in August 2014 to create a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at certain retail outlets[4]. The state of Hawaii implemented a ban on non-biodegradable plastic checkout bags and has even proposed further plastic bag legislation in SB (Senate bill) 522[5]. The state of New York introduced a law that bans single-use plastic bags and allows it’s counties to enforce fees on paper bags[6].
An additional 13 or more states are currently introducing new legislation and bills in preemption to banning plastics. A section of the APR website[7] provides access to many statewide recycling resources and plastic bans for states across the country. Listed below is a detailed list of cities and counties across the United States that took individual action to ban plastics. The list is borrowed from the CAW (Californians Against Waste) organizations website where you may view more details about these municipalities [8]. A thorough glance over these resources will show that several municipalities across the United States are fed-up with single-use plastics!
National List of Local Plastic Bag Ordinances
Alaska
Bethel - City officials voted in July 2009 to ban plastic bags and takeout containers. The ban went into effect in September 2010.
Cordova - In November 2015, Cordova passed a ban on plastic carryout bags in affected retail stores. Effective October 1, 2016.
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.
Kodiak City- banned single-use plastic bags effective April 22, 2018.
Wasilla- prohibits all establishments in Wasilla from providing single-use plastic bags. Goes into effect July 1, 2018.
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 (entire state)
In November 2016 voters upheld SB270, the statewide bag ban. Single-use plastic bags are banned in grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience and liquor stores. A 10 cent charge is mandated on the distribution of paper and reusable bags. This ban covers the rest of the state not already covered under pre-existing local ordinances.
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.
Avon - The city of Avon banned single-use plastic plastic bags and placed a 10 cent charge on paper bags for all retail stores. Effective May 1, 2018.
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.
Breckenridge - The city of Breckenridge adopted a disposable bag fee of 10 cents for all disposable bags distributed at any retail store. Effective October, 2013.
Carbondale - The Town of Carbondale 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.
Crested Butte - On August 15, 2016, the Town Council adopted a disposable plastic bag ban for all stores. Effective September 1, 2018.
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.
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.
Vail - This mountain town banned plastic bags in March 2015. The ban will go into effect in August 2015 with a 10 cent charge for paper bags.
Connecticut
Westport - In September 2008, Westport became the first Connecticut city to ban plastic bags.
Florida
Coral Gable - The city adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags at all retail stores and allow the use of certified compostable bags, reusable bags, and paper bags. Effective May 10, 2018.
Hawaii
Hawaii County - The Big Island of Hawaii banned single-use plastic bags in January 2012. Effective January 1, 2013.
Honolulu County - Honolulu banned plastic bags in May 2012. Effective July 1, 2012. Revised to include Oahu effective July 1, 2015.
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
Belfast - Adopted a ban on single use plastic bag bans at all retail stores. Effective January 1, 2018.
Brunswick - On March 20, 2017 adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags. Effective April 20, 2017
Falmouth - In January 2016, the Town Council adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use plastic bag in the town's six largest retail stores. Effective April 1, 2016.
Freeport - In June 2016, voters approved banning plastic bags and putting a 5 cent charge on paper bags in supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores. Effective September 12, 2016.
Kennebunk - In June 2016, voters approved banning plastic bags in all retail stores. Effective October 15, 2016.
Portland - In 2014, Portland adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use bag in grocery stores. Effective April 15, 2015.
Saco - In April of 2017 adopted a ban on single-use plastic bag bans, only allowing non-petroleum based bags that are reusable, paper, or meet ASTM standards for compostability. Effective May 3, 2017.
South Portland - In September 2015, South Portland adopted a 5 cent charge per single-use bag in grocery, drug, and convenience stores. Effective March 1, 2016.
Topsham - Adopted a minimum charge of 5 cents for single-use plastic bags. Effective May 1, 2017.
York - On November 3, 2015, town voters approved the first single-use bag ban in the state. Effective March 3, 2016.
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
Statewide Legislation Pending
Adams - On June 20, 2016, a ban on single-use plastic bags in all retail establishments was unanimously approved by voters. Effective March 30, 2017.
Amherst - In May 2016, the town passed a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all retail and food establishments. Effective January 1, 2017.
Aquinnah - In May of 2016, Aquinnah became the fifth town on Martha's Vineyard to ban single-use plastic bags in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
Arlington - in April of 2017 the city of Arlington adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags. Effective May 1, 2018.
Athol - The city adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags at retail and grocery stores. Effective January 1, 2018.
Barnstable - Passed on September 3, 2015 by a 7-6 vote, the ordinance bans single-use plastic bags in all establishments beginning September 3, 2016.
Bedford - The city adopted a ban on single use plastic bags at retail and grocery stores. Effective October 1, 2017.
Boston - On November 29, 2017 Boston mayor Marty Walsh signed the ordinance, which the city council voted in favor of, which bans single-use plastic bags and adds a 5 cent charge on all paper or reusable bags. Effective November 2018.
Bourne - In October 2016, Bourne passed a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all establishments. Effective January 1, 2018.
Bridgewater - Passed on March 8, 2016 by a 7-1 vote, the ordinance bans single-use plastic bags in most retail establishments beginning September 4, 2016.
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. In November 2016, Brookline tightened the law by including produce bags, as well as compostable standards for all bags that aren't paper or reusable.
Cambridge - On March 31, 2015, the City Council banned the distribution of plastic bags in all retail establishments. Effective 180 days from the date of enactment.
Chatham - The Chatham Board of Health passed a single-use plastic bag ban regulation in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
Chilmark - In late April 2016, Chilmark became the fourth town on Martha's Vineyard to adopt a single-use plastic bag ban in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
Concord - On April 11, 2015, the City Council banned single-use plastic bags in all retail and grocery stores. Effective January 1, 2016.
Dennis - In October 2016, Dennis passed a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all establishments. Stores have 12 months to phase the bags out.
Duxbury - The city adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags in March of 2017. Effective September 3, 2017.
Edgartown - On April 12, 2016, this was one of three towns on Martha's Vineyard to pass a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
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.
Framingham - In May 2016, the Town banned single-use plastic bags in all retail and grocery stores. Effective January 1, 2017.
Grafton - The city adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags for all retail stores. Effective July 1, 2018.
Great Barrington - The plastic bag ban was approved in May 2013. Effective January 2014.
Hamilton - On April 11, 2015, the Town of Hamilton adopted a by-law banning single-use plastic bags in all retail establishments. Effective July 27, 2016.
Harwich - On May 4, 2015, the City Council banned single-use plastic bags in all stores and restaurants. Effective May 4, 2016.
Ipswich - In May 2016, the Town adopted a single-use plastic bag ban for all retail establishments. Effective May 2017.
Lee - On May 12, 2016, the Town adopted a single-use plastic bag ban in all establishments. Effective May 12, 2017.
Lenox - In June of 2016, the Board of Health banned the distribution of single-use plastic bags in all retail stores and restaurants. Effective June 2017.
Manchester-by-the-Sea - 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.
Mashpee - In October 2016, Mashpee passed a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all establishments. Stores have 12 months to phase the bags out.
Melrose - In December of 2017 the city adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags for all retail stores. Effective June 2018.
Nantucket - The small town of Nantucket banned non-biodegradable single use bags in 1990.
Natick - Voters approved a by-law amendment that requires all plastic checkout bags to be compostable and marine degradable at specific retail establishments. Effective July 1, 2016.
Newburyport - The city adopted a plastic bag ban in all retail stores in January 2015. Paper and reusable bags allowed. Effective in 180 days.
Newton - The City adopted a plastic bag ban in January 2015 that goes into effect in July 2015.
Northampton- A plastic bag ban in all grocery and retail stores was adopted in May 2015. Effective January 1, 2016.
Plymouth - In October 2016, Plymouth passed a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in most establishments. Effective 6 months after passage.
Provincetown - The town banned plastic bags thinner than 1.5 mils in October of 2014. Effective April 2015.
Salem - In late 2016, the city passed a single-use plastic bag ban in all retail establishments. Effective January 1, 2018.
Sandwich - In November 2016, the Sandwich Board of Health banned polyethylene plastic bags from all establishments, and required that all produce bags bee certified compostable. Effective November 28, 2017.
Shrewsbury - In May 2016, the Town adopted a bylaw prohibiting the distribution of any single-use plastic bags that are not compostable or marine biodegradable in all retail establishments. Effective July 1, 2017.
South Hadley - Adopted a requirement that all carry out bags be reusable or compostable. Effective July 1, 2018.
Somerville - In November 2015, the city banned grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, restaurants, and most retail stores from providing plastic shopping bags to customers. Effective August 24, 2016 for large stores, and November 24, 2016 for smaller stores.
Sudbury - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags in May of 2017. Effective January 1, 2018.
Tisbury - On April 12, 2016, this was one of three towns on Martha's Vineyard to pass a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
Truro - On November 5, 2015, the city adopted a single-use plastic bag ban in all establishments effective June 1, 2016. Paper and reusable bags may be provided with or without a charge.
Wayland - Adopted a ban on single use plastic bags in May of 2017. Effective January 1, 2018.
Watertown - In June of 2016, the Town adopted a single-use plastic bag ban in all retail establishments and restaurants. Effective 6 months after passage.
Wellesley - On April 12, 2016, the town passed a ban on single-use plastic bags in all retail stores and restaurants. The bylaw is effective January 1, 2017 for large stores and April 12, 2017 for smaller stores.
Wellfleet - In April 2015, the city Council passed a ban on plastic shopping bags in all retail stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2016.
West Tisbury - On April 12, 2016, this was one of three towns on Martha's Vineyard to pass a bylaw banning single-use plastic bags in all stores and restaurants. Effective January 1, 2017.
Williamstown- The town banned plastic bags and added a minimum 10 cent charge on paper bags in May of 2015.
Minnesota
Minneapolis - On April 1, 2016, Minneapolis became the first city in Minnesota to adopt a single-use plastic bag ban in all retail establishments with a 5 cent charge on paper and reusable bags. Effective June 1, 2017.
New Jersey
Avalon - On September 12, 2018, Avalon passed a ban on single-use plastic bags, polystyrene foam products and non-compostable food packaging effective June 2019.
Beach Haven - On August 13, 2018, Beach Haven passed a ban on single-use plastic bags effective June 2019.
Longport - On November 20, 2015, Longport became the first town in New Jersey to enact a 10 cent charge on all carryout bags in all retail stores and restaurants. Effective immediately.
Long Beach Township - on November, 2017, Long Beach Township passed an ordinance that prohibited the distribution of single use plastic bags at all retail stores.
Teaneck - Adopted a 5 cent charge for single-use plastic bags at all retail stores. Effective July 8, 2018.
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. The charge, however, was reinstated in April 2015 to become effective June 28, 2015.
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 - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags at all retail stores. Effective January 29, 2012.
East Hampton Town - The Town Board adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective September 22, 2015.
East Hampton Village - 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.
Long Beach - Adopted a minimum charge of 5 cents for carryout bags. Effective April 22, 2017.
Mamaroneck - In mid July 2012, the Mamaroneck Board of Trustees approved a plastic bag ban. Effective in six months.
New Castle - In June 2016, the Town banned the distribution of single-use plastic bags in large retail stores, grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores. Effective January 1, 2017.
New Paltz Village - The Village Board passed a plastic bag ban in November 2014. Effective April 2015.
New York City - On May 5, 2016, the New York City council mandated a 5 cent fee on both paper and plastic carryout bags throughout the city. Effective October 1, 2016.
Patchogue Village - A single-use plastic bag ban was approved in June 2015. Effective September 2016.
Rye - In December 2011, the Rye City Council unanimously adopted a plastic bag ban at all retail stores. Effective May 7, 2012.
Southampton Town - The Town Board adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective April 22, 2015
Southampton Village - In April 2011, the Southampton Village Board unanimously approved a ban on non-biodegradable bags for retailers, supermarkets and restaurants. Effective November 6, 2011.
Suffolk County - In September 2016, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a bill requiring a minimum 5 cent charge on plastic carryout bags in all retail establishments. Effective January 1, 2018.
North Carolina
Hyde, Currituck and Dare Counties - The North Carolina Legislature banned plastic in the Barrier Islands in June 2009. The ban was extended to all businesses in the three counties in 2010.
Barrier Islands - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags at all retail stores. Effective October 1, 2011.
Oregon
Ashland - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags and added a minimum charge of 10 cents for recyclable paper bags. Effective November 6, 2014.
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.
Manzanita - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags for all retail stores. Effective November 6, 2017.
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.
Middletown - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags and require that stores which provide plastic produce bags, food with plastic bag packaging, or plastic bags for plant purchases offer a recycling opportunity to customers for those bags. Effective May 1, 2017.
Newport - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags and require that stores which provide plastic produce bags, food with plastic bag packaging, or plastic bags for plant purchases offer a recycling opportunity to customers for those bags. Effective March 8, 2017.
South Carolina
Surfside Beach - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags on January 23, 2018. Effective June 1, 2018.
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).
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.
Port Aransas - The City adopted a plastic bag ban on December 18, 2014. Effective January 1, 2016.
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.
Utah
Park City - Adopted an ordinance that prohibits large grocery stores (over 12,000 square feet) from distributing single-use plastic bags. Effective June 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.
Ellensburg - In November 2016, City Council approved an ordinance that imposes a 5 cent fee on single-use plastic and paper bags within the city.
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.
Kirkland - A plastic bag ban with a five cent charge per paper bag was approved in February 2015. Effective March 1, 2016 in 170 retail stores.
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.
Quil Ceda Village - Adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags at all retail stores. Effective January 1, 2018.
San Juan County - In October 2016, the Council passed a single-use plastic bag ban in all retail establishments and restaurants.
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.
Tacoma - On July 12, 2016, the City Council passed a plastic bag ban in all retail stores and restaurants, with a minimum 5 cent charge on paper and reusables. Effective July 12, 2017.
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.
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia Council voted June 2009 to require retailers to charge a $0.05 fee on all carryout bags.
Reference:
[1]. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/planetorplastic/
[2]. https://plasticsrecycling.org/resources/state-recycling/mandatory-plastic-recycling-legislation
[3]. https://plasticsrecycling.org/resources/state-recycling/bottle-bills
[4]. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB270
[5]. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=522&year=2019
[6.] https://plasticsrecycling.org/resources/state-recycling/general-recycling