Connecticut Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Statewide

Public Act 19-117, codified in CGS Section 22a-246a, established a phased approach to single-use plastic bag elimination. From August 2019 through June 2021, retailers collected a 10-cent fee per single-use plastic checkout bag, remitting proceeds to the state. Effective July 1, 2021, the sale or distribution of single-use plastic checkout bags by stores is prohibited. Paper and reusable bags remain permitted. The ban applies uniformly statewide and supersedes earlier local bag ordinances, though municipalities may enact stricter measures.

Retailers distributing prohibited single-use plastic bags face penalties enforced by the Department of Revenue Services under PA 19-117.