Vermont Act 69 of 2019 bans single-use plastic carryout bags at retail stores statewide, including Burlington. Stores must offer recycled paper or reusable bags, with a minimum charge per paper bag.
Effective July 1, 2020, Vermont Act 69 prohibits stores and food service establishments from providing single-use plastic carryout bags at the point of sale. The law applies to all Burlington retailers including grocery stores, the Church Street Marketplace shops, and pharmacies. Recycled paper bags are permitted but require a minimum 10 cent charge per bag, retained by the retailer. Reusable bags remain unrestricted. The ban does not apply to produce bags, meat packaging, prescription bags, or bags for live animals. Violations are enforced by the Vermont Attorney General.
Retailers providing banned plastic bags face civil penalties of up to several hundred dollars per day enforced by the Vermont Attorney General's office.
Burlington, VT
Vermont Act 69 prohibits expanded polystyrene foam food and beverage containers at all food service establishments. Burlington restaurants, cafes, and food t...
Burlington, VT
Vermont Act 69 requires food service establishments to provide plastic straws only upon customer request. Burlington restaurants and cafes cannot proactively...
See how Burlington's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.