With the turn of the calendar from 2019 to 2020, numerous new laws have gone into effect across the country. Many of these new laws concern bans and fees related to single-use plastic bags by grocers and retailers.
Here are some legislative highlights scheduled to go into effect in 2020:
- In Hawaii, all plastic bags, including compostable ones, are now banned in Oahu. Previously, dating back to 2012, the island had banned all plastic bags except compostable and reusable ones greater than 2.5 mils thick. Now, even those bags are banned.
- Effective January 1, Oregon retail establishments can no longer provide single-use checkout bags to customers in most cases. This law also requires retailers and restaurants to charge five cents or more recycled paper checkout bags, reusable fabric checkout bags, or reusable plastic checkout bags provided to customers
- Starting in April 2020, Maine retailers may not provide a single-use carry-out bags to customers. However, they can provide recycled paper bags at the point of sale as long as the retailer charges a fee of at least five cents per bag.
- In Vermont, with the passage of “SB 113,” store or food establishments will be prohibited after July 1, 2020 from providing single-use plastic carryout bags.
- Delaware retailers and consumers will have all of 2020 to make the transition to its ban on single-use plastic carryout bags. Stores are also encouraged to begin making reusable grocery bags or paper bags available at no cost to customers participating in either the Delaware Food Stamp Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
- In Connecticut, for fiscal year 2020, stores must charge a 10-cent fee for each single-use checkout bag (a plastic bag with a thickness of less than four mils) provided to customers at the point of sale, and then bans the use of such bags beginning July 1, 2021.
Generally, bans on single-use plastic bags do not apply to in-store bags used to contain frozen foods, meat, fish, cheese, nuts, grains, fruit, vegetables, or other loose items, nor do they apply to newspaper bags, laundry, dry-cleaning, or garbage bags.
Take Action Now
Consumers and retailers don’t have to wait for their states or towns to take legislative action to ban or tax single-use plastic bags. You can join others around the country who are getting ahead of the legislative push and in the habit of making re-usable totes and shopping bags part of their everyday shopping experience.
- For retailers, Belvedere Exclusive’s custom-branded, reusable bags and totes make the perfect promotional item for their stores. Adding a logo and colors to recyclable and reusable eco-friendly bags is a great way to draw attention and makes a lasting green impression on your patrons and everyone they encounter.
- For consumers, reusable shopping bags are good for the environment and they help you send a message to friends, family members, and even complete strangers that you care about the environment and your impact on it.
Get a Quote
Belvedere Exclusive offers recycled polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) eco custom shopping bags:
- Made from recycled soda & water bottles
- 80% post-consumer materials
- 125+ reuses and they’re washable and PET-1 recyclable
- Meet all state and local “bag ban” requirements
- Printing options for your name and logo start at minimum orders of 10 cartons.
We also offer Polypropylene (PP) Nonwoven custom shopping bags:
- These are the lowest price FOB USA bags in the market!
- 125+ reuses and they’re washable and PP-5 recyclable
- Meet all state and local “bag ban” requirements
- Start at 85c or less per bag, minimum 1 shipping pallet.
We invite you to get a no-strings attached quote on our bags, which are already in use with many high-profile brands around the country.