The Washington State Legislature recently passed HB 1293, updating the state’s single-use bag regulations effective January 1, 2026.
Plastic film bags will continue to be 2.25 mil thick until 2028, delaying the previously scheduled increase to 4 mil. Starting in 2026, retailers and restaurants must collect a 12-cent charge for plastic bags, while the fee for paper bags remains 8 cents. An additional 4-cent fee will apply to plastic bags 4 mil or thicker from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, supporting the state’s waste reduction and recycling efforts.
Plastic bags must be reusable, contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled material, and meet a minimum usage of 125 times. Paper bags must be compostable and meet minimum recycled content requirements. Customers using food benefits are exempt from fees.
Businesses are encouraged to reduce disposable bag use by promoting reusable bags and displaying “Bring Your Own Bag” or “Go Bag Free” messaging. Updated flyers and resources are available for staff and customer communication.
For more information or a list of carryout bag distributors, visit Ecology.wa.gov/BagBan or contact Carolyn Bowie at [email protected].
