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A ban on single-use plastic bags intended to encourage customers to use their own reusable bags when shopping will go into effect Friday in Washington state.
The ban was passed by the state Senate in March 2019 and was originally scheduled to begin on the first of this year, but was delayed due to supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 13, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee repealed the proclamation and set the date for the ban on single-use plastic bags to take effect on October 1, 2021.
The measure bans single-use plastic bags in all retail and food stores, restaurants, take-out establishments, festivals and markets, except food banks and aid programs food, although consumers are still encouraged to reduce the use of single-use plastic take-out bags. when possible.
Instead, stores can order different types of bags, such as recycled content paper or reusable wheat straw paper plastic bags, which will result in a customer charge of 8 cents for each bag.
These bags must meet the minimum standard of 40 percent post-consumer recycled content, or 40 percent wheat straw, or a combination of the two materials equal to 40 percent, while thick reusable plastic bags must be made of at least 20 percent post-consumer recycled material. recycled content, be at least 2.25 mil thick and labeled on the bag with these specifications along with the word “reusable”.
There are exceptions for bulk consumer products, fresh produce, frozen foods, meat, potted flowers and plants, prepared foods or baked goods, and prescription drugs.
Newspaper bags, envelopes, door hangers, dry cleaning bags and bags sold in packaging for the storage of food, garbage or animal waste are also exempt from the plastic ban. Stores can also sell small paper bags (smaller than 882 cubic inches), but all paper bags must meet the minimum 40 percent post-consumer recycled content or wheat straw and be labeled with that percentage on the bag.
The Ecology Department says the ban will reduce contamination in recycling and composting systems and promote the use of recycled content, while “strengthening policy and enforcement consistency across the state.” and “supporting the recycled paper industry”.
Members of the public will be able to notify authorities of any business that does not cooperate with the ban via an online report form. Businesses that repeatedly fail to comply with the ban can face penalties of up to $ 250.
Local bans are already in place in cities in Washington including Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma and Edmonds, reports the Seattle Times, but the new measure will override previous local laws.
To follow
Katabella Roberts is a journalist currently based in Turkey. She covers current affairs and business for The Epoch Times, focusing primarily on the United States.
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