Plastic bags

This bill:

• Requires retailers, beginning January 1, 2021, to charge 8 cents for any recycled content paper bag or reusable plastic bag provided to consumers through December 31, 2025.
• Increases the bag charge to 12 cents per plastic bag beginning January 1, 2026.
• Provides a business and occupation tax deduction for any funds derived from the pass-through bag charge created by this bill. Retail sales tax still applies to the pass-through charge.
• Prohibits retailers, beginning January 1, 2021, from providing single-use plastic carryout bags, and certain paper carryout bags and reusable carryout bags unless they meet recycled content requirements.

Effective June 11, 2020 (ESSB 5323, Chapter 138, Laws of 2020)