Washington's single-use plastic bag ban

Since October 1, 2021, Kent follows Washington State's Plastic Bag Ban. This ban reduces pollution by prohibiting single-use plastic carryout bags. It also charges a fee for acceptable bags in business establishments. 

The Legislature passed a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags during its 2020 session. This is to reduce plastic pollution, litter, and waste.

In 2025, the Washington State Legislature passed HB 1293. This new bill updates the states single-use plastic bag ban. These changes take effect January 1, 2026. 

What's changing in 2026?

• Plastic bags continue to be 2.25 mil thick through 2027. The state legislature delayed for two years the thickness increase required under the bag ban: Plastic film bags must continue to have a minimum of 2.25 mil until January 1, 2028. HB 1293 delays the required thickness increase to 4 mil from January 1, 2026 to 2028. 

• 12 cents for plactic, 8 cents for paper: Starting January 1, 2026, retailers and restaurants must collect a 12-cent charge for plastic film bags given to customers. The charge for paper bags will remain 8 cents. The increase in the plastic bag fee is unchanged from the original law, RCW 70A.530.020. 

• Additional 4-cent penalty to discourage plastic 4-mil bags: For retailers and restaurants that choose to distribute plastic bags that are 4 mil thick or greater, an additional 4-cent charge must be applied to the 12-cent charge to customers (16 cents total). This penalty will be in effect January 1, 2026 until December 31, 2027. Businesses that provide 4 mil thick bags must deposit the 4-cent penalty into the Washington Stte waste reduction, recycling and litter control account under RCW 70A.200.140.
  Businesses are discouraged from distributing unnecessarily thick plastic bags to avoid this penalty process and reduce waste. 

• Why is there a two-year delay to increase the plastic bag thickness? 
  • The two-year delay will allow the legislature time to consider an upcoming report from the Washington State Department of Commerce that evaluates the single-use plastic bag ban. As required in RCW 70A.530.060, the report must include an assessment of bag thickness, pass-through charge, and recommendations for the single-use plastic bag ban. Delaying the dates may also minimize possible disruption to impacted businesses. 

• Why is there a new penalty for bags equal to or greater than 4-mil thick? 
  •  As described in HB 1293, the legislature found that although thicker plastic bags may be more durable, initial research demonstrated that many customers still use them as single-use bags, and consequently contribute to more plastic waste and litter. The 4-cent penalty on bags that are equal to or greater than 4-mil thick may help reduce plastic waste by discouraging distribution of unnecessarily thick bags.

▶ Single-use plastic bags are prohibited.

▶ Plastic film carryout bag requirements:

• 12-cent fee beginning January 1, 2026

Required to be at least 2.25 mil in thickness, have a minimum lifetime of one hundred twenty-five uses, be made of at least 40% post-consumer recycled plastic, and labeled as “reusable” with the plastic’s thickness and post-consumer recycled content.  Plastic film bags must be sold for a minimum of 8 cents until December 31, 2025, and 12 cents starting January 1, 2026.

Orginal Details of the Bag Ban

• No single-use plastic carryout bags are allowed
• There's an 8-cent charge on large paper carryout bags. The business must retain charges. The paper bags must be made with 40 percent recycled content.
• There's an 8 cent charge on thick reusable plastic carryout bags. The business must retain charges. The thick plastic carryout bags must be made with 20 percent recycled content with at least 2.25 millimeter thickness. 
• Compostable carryout bags are charge-optional. The compostable carryout bags are allowed but not recommended. The green or brown tinted film bags must be compostable.

Full details of the new Plastic Bag Ban can be viewed by visiting the Department of Ecology's website.

Retailers & Restaurants

The Plastic Bag Ban applies to:

• All retail, grocery, and convenience stores
• Any restaurant or establishment offering takeout or delivery food or goods
• Temporary stores or vendors
• Any event where food or goods are sold or distributed

To ensure your business is able to reach all of its patrons download an accessible toolkit in one of 17 languages.  

Please visit the Department of Ecology's website for a full list of Frequently Asked Questions for retailers and restaurants.

Shoppers

Visit the Department of Ecology's website for a full list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Tips for Remembering Reusable Bags

At Home

• Make "Bring Bags" the first item on all your grocery lists.
• Keep reusable bags in your backpack, gym bag or purse.
• Hang reusable bags on the back of your main entry door.
• Set a regular "Bring Bags" reminder on your phone for the days and times you usually buy groceries.

In the Car

• Store reusable bags in the front seat where you can see them easily.
• Post a "Bring Shopping Bags" sticky note on your dashboard.

View full details of the new Plastic Bag Ban.