Plastic Bag Rules: Puyallup vs Tacoma
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Puyallup, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Puyallup has fewer restrictions than Tacoma.
Puyallup, WA
Pierce County
Washington RCW 70A.530 bans single-use plastic carryout bags statewide and requires retailers to charge a pass-through fee for compliant paper or reusable bags.
View full Puyallup rules →Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
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.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Puyallup | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| 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 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Puyallup FAQ
What kind of bags can Washington retailers provide?
Retailers can provide recycled-content paper bags or reusable plastic bags meeting state thickness standards, with an 8-cent minimum fee.
Can cities adopt stricter bag rules?
RCW 70A.530.030 preempts most local bag ordinances, though some pre-existing local ordinances remain in effect.
Tacoma FAQ
Do SNAP customers pay the bag fee?
No. RCW 70A.530 exempts customers using SNAP, WIC, TANF, or FAP benefits from the eight-cent pass-through fee on permitted carryout bags.
Can Tacoma require a higher fee?
No. The 2021 state law preempted local bag ordinances, so Tacoma cannot add a separate local fee or a stricter ban beyond the statewide rule.
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