Tacoma's Single-Use Items: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles single-use items a little differently. In Tacoma, Washington, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Plastic Bag Rules

Tacoma follows the statewide RCW 70A.530 ban on thin single-use plastic carryout bags. Retailers must charge an eight-cent pass-through fee on permitted reusable plastic or recycled-paper carryout bags supplied at checkout.

Key details: Statute: RCW 70A.530. Effective date: October 1, 2021. Bag fee: 8 cents per bag. Reusable plastic: Min 2.25 mils thick. Enforcement: WA Dept of Ecology.

Providing banned thin bags or failing to collect the pass-through fee can result in Ecology warnings, civil penalties up to 250 dollars per day, and corrective-action orders against the retailer.

This is one of the stricter rules in Tacoma's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Utensils-On-Request

Under RCW 70A.245, Tacoma food-service businesses may provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, cup lids, and similar accessories only when the customer requests them or affirmatively chooses them through self-service.

Key details: Statute: RCW 70A.245.100. Items covered: Utensils, straws, condiments, lids. Trigger: Customer request only. Disability access: Flexible straws on request. Channels: Dine-in, takeout, delivery.

Automatically including accessories without a request can lead to Ecology warning letters and escalating civil penalties; repeat violators face fines and corrective-action plans.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Tacoma food-service businesses cannot sell or distribute expanded polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, or coolers under RCW 70A.245. The statewide ban took effect in 2024, replacing prior local foam restrictions.

Key details: Statute: RCW 70A.245. Foodware ban date: June 1, 2024. Peanut ban date: June 1, 2023. Cooler ban: Included in foodware. Enforcement agency: WA Dept of Ecology.

Selling or distributing banned EPS items can result in Ecology warning letters, civil penalties up to 250 dollars per day per violation, and supplier-side enforcement against producers.

This is one of the stricter rules in Tacoma's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Tacoma is tougher than many cities when it comes to single-use items. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Tacoma, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Tacoma's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.