Washington Statewide Rule

Washington Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag Ban

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Washington (2026)

Key Facts

Effective Date: Effective October 1, 2021 statewide
Restriction: Single-use plastic carryout bags banned
Minimum: 8-cent minimum fee for paper or reusable bags
Safety: Reusable bags must meet thickness standards
Enforcement: Department of Ecology enforces RCW 70A.530

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: Washington State Legislature

Summary

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.

(1) Beginning January 1, 2021, except as provided in this section and RCW 70A.530.030, a retail establishment may not provide to a customer or a person at an event: (a) A single-use plastic carryout bag; (b) A paper carryout bag that does not meet the requirements of subsection (6)(a) of this section or a reusable carryout bag made of film plastic that does not meet recycled content requirements; or (c) Beginning January 1, 2028, a reusable carryout bag made of film plastic with a thickness of less than four mils, in the event that the 2026 legislature does not amend this section to reflect the recommendations to the legislature made consistent with RCW 70A.530.060.

Source: Washington State LegislatureView official code

Full Breakdown

Washington's statewide plastic bag ban under RCW 70A.530 took effect October 1, 2021. The law prohibits retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers. Retailers may provide reusable bags meeting thickness and recycled content standards (currently 2.25 mils, increasing to 4 mils in 2026) or recycled-content paper bags. Retailers must charge a minimum eight-cent pass-through fee per bag, retained by the business and listed on receipts. Exemptions apply to bags for produce, bulk items, prescriptions, newspapers, and certain food service uses. The Department of Ecology administers the program. Local ordinances stricter than state law are preempted, but some local pre-existing bans remain operative.

Violations & Penalties

Retailers face civil penalties up to $250 for first violations and up to $500 for subsequent violations under RCW 70A.530.040. Department of Ecology issues warnings before fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Sources

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