How was the Project Started?
In 2021, Washington State prohibited single-use plastic carryout bags, required the use of thicker plastic bags, and imposed a pass-through charge on carryout bags. As required by legislation, the state Department of Commerce then carried out an evaluation of the effects of this policy, culminating in a report entitled “Evaluating Washington State’s Retail Carryout Bag Policy.”
The authors found that while the number of plastic bags used had decreased since the ban went into effect, the total volume of plastic used in bags increased. The report concluded that “without sufficient reuse, reusable carryout bags made of paper, plastic, or fabric have higher environmental lifecycle costs than their single-use counterparts.” Various reforms aligning with the report’s recommendations were enacted by the legislature in 2025 through the Recycling Reform Act.
When was the Project Started?
2021
When was the Project Completed, or is it Ongoing?
2025
What are the Resources Needed, including Time, Cost, Etc.?
TBD
