Many jurisdictions (cities, states and countries) have enacted fees or bans on various forms of plastic. Bans on single use plastic bags and plastic water bottles are common. StopPlastics has prepared a list of jurisdictions with bans or fees and updates it on a regular basis.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Palm Desert, California, Ban
The Palm Desert Citizens' Sustainability Committee approved a proposed ban on plastic shopping bags. The mayor, Jan Harnik, and the City Council also approved the measure.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Palm Springs, California, Ban
Beginning in November 2014 disposable plastic bags are banned at stores that make more than $2 million a year throughout Palm Springs. The measure also levies a 10-cent fee on paper bags. In September 2015 the law was modified to better define which stores must charge the paper bag fee.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Palo Alto, California, Ban
The era of plastic bags is about to come to an end at shops and restaurants throughout Palo Alto after city officials decided Monday night to greatly expand the city's existing ban on the notorious creek polluters.
Continuing a trend that the city helped launch more than three years ago, the City Council voted Monday night to extend Palo Alto's existing ban on single-use plastic bags at supermarkets. The ordinance that the council approved by a 5-0 vote Monday extends the ban beyond supermarkets to all other retailers and food establishments. It also requires stores to charge 10 cents per paper bag. Staff will revisit this fee in 18 to 24 months.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Pasadena, California, Ban
Pasadena has a ban on single-use plastic carryout bags that is very far reaching. The ordinance outlaws plastic bags and levies a fee on paper bags at drug stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience food stores, foodmarts, liquor stores, farmer markets, City sponsored events, events at City facilities, and any event held on City property. The goal of the ban is to reduce landfill waste and protect the watershed.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Paso Robles, California, Ban
Disposable plastic bags are banned in Paso Robles and paper bags are available for a 10-cent fee. The City is covered by a ban that was passed by San Luis Obispo County.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Piedmont, California, Ban
Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Pismo Beach, California, Ban
The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority passed a single-use plastic bag ban in January 2012; the measure also levies a 10-cent fee on paper bags. The ban became effective on October 1, 2012.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Pleasanton, California, Ban
Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Portola, California, Ban
Plastic bags banned in Portola Valley beginning April 22, 2013 Paper bags will still be allowed for a 10-cent fee through December 31, 2014 at which time the paper bag fee will increase to 25 cents.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Puerto Rico State-wide, Ban
Garcia said grocery stores across Puerto Rico import tons of plastic bags a year, noting that one small supermarket chain alone annually imports bags that fit in six boxcars that are 42 feet (13 meters) long.
'All that ends up in landfills in the best-case scenario,' he said. 'They end up on our streets, in our sewage system ... and kill our turtles and coral reefs.'
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Rhode Island, statewide, Ban
A bill proposed in Rhode Island would ban disposable
plastic bags from large stores starting January 1, 2016. All remaining
stores would have to comply starting January 1, 2017.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Rye, New York, Ban
Plastic bags are no longer allowed in Rye after the City Council unanimously voted to ban these environmental hazards from the checkout lane. The ban rolled out six months after it was passed to allow stores time to use up existing inventory. Concerns over the environment were a big reason behind the ban.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Sag Harbor, New York, Ban
Starting June 1, 2015 single-use plastic bags are banned in the village of Sag Harbor.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Salinas, California, Ban
The Salinas City Council approved a law that will prohibit single-use plastic bags and levy a 10-cent fee on paper bags. The ban applies to famer’s markets and grocery and retail stores. Once adopted there will be a six month grace period for businesses to comply.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, San Francisco, Ban
While San Francisco has prohibited the use of plastic bags at large supermarkets and chain pharmacies since 2007, this new ban will apply to all retailers citywide.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, San Jose, California, Ban
Plastic bags will no longer be allowed starting January 1, 2012 in San Jose. Paper bags are still going to be available, but shoppers will have to pay 10-cents for each paper bag they use. San Jose’s ban is considered to be very comprehensive and extends to most establishments with the exception of restaurants and non-profits. Stores that don't comply face fines of up to $1,000 a day
NORTH AMERICA, USA, San Leandro, California, Ban
Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, San Luis Obismo County, California, Ban
A ban on plastic shopping bags went into effect in San Luis Obispo County on October 1, 2012. The law prohibits most stores from handing out plastic bags and they must charge a 10-cent fee for each paper bag handed out. Stores have the option of not offering paper bags. The Integrated Waste Management Authority launched an outreach program to educate the public and encourage shoppers to use reusable grocery bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Barbara County, California, Ban
In a 3-2 vote Santa Barbara County passed a ban that will prohibit single-use plastic bags in unincorporated areas of the county. The ban goes into action at large grocery stores beginning March 22, 2016 and will extend to smaller stores on September 24, 2016. The measure also levies a 10-cent fee on paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Barbara, California, Ban
In a 6-0 vote the Santa Barbara City Council passed a ban on disposable plastic bags in October 2013. The ban also imposes a 10-cent fee on paper bags. The measure went into action for larger stores on May 14, 2014, and became official for smaller stores on November 14, 2014.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Cruz County, California, Ban
As of March 2012 plastic bags are banned throughout unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County and paper bags incur a 10-cent fee. Starting in April 2013 the plastic bag ban will extend to restaurants and the paper bag fee will increase in 25 cents.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Cruz, California, Ban
Single-use plastic bags are banned in the City of Santa Cruz starting on April 10, 2013. The ban also levies a fee on paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ban
Beginning March 27, 2014 single-use plastic bags thinner than 2.25 mils were banned throughout Santa Fe, and starting in the summer of 2015 shoppers will have to pay 10-cent fee on each paper bag they use.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Santa Monica, California, Ban
Retail establishments in Santa Monica are prohibited from distributing single use plastic bags. Stores can offer paper bags constructed from at least 40% post-consumer recycled content for 10-cents each. Stores keep the revenue generated by the paper bag fee. The city also gave out 25,000 reusable bags to help people get started.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Seaside, California, Ban
Single-use plastic bags are banned in the City of Seaside under a law that also levies a 10-cent minimum charge per paper bag. The ban is effective in all retail stores beginning September 20, 2015.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Silver City, New Mexico, Ban
The Silver City Town Council unanimously voted in favor of a disposable plastic bag ban. The ban went into action on January 1, 2015 and specifically targets bags less than 2.25 mils thick. In October 2015 the town council began to review the impact of the ban.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Solana Beach, California, Ban
Solana Beach is the first city in San Diego County to ban plastic shopping bags. The first phase of the ban rolled out in August 2012 and prohibits grocery stores and pharmacies from handing out disposable plastic shopping bags. The ban also mandates that a 10-cent fee is levied on each paper bag given out by impacted stores. The stores keep all money collected from the fee on paper bags. This ban extends to other retailers in Solana Beach on November 9, 2012. Restaurants are not impacted by the ban due to health concerns.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Soledad, California, Ban
Beginning May 1, 2015 single-use plastic bags will be prohibited in Soledad. Paper bags are available for a 10-cent fee.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, South Lake Tahoe, California, Ban
The South Lake Tahoe City Council passed a disposable plastic bag ban that went into action for grocery stores in January of 2014. The ban was scheduled to extend to other businesses in October of 2014; however, after a 3-2 vote by the council the second leg of the ban was extended and became effective on October 15, 2015.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, South Padre Island, Texas, Ban
The South Padre Island City Council unanimously voted in favor of an ordinance to ban disposable plastic shopping bags, and the measure will go into effect on January 1, 2012. Since tourism is a major industry for this City it is hoped that this measure will help keep beaches clean and pristine.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, South Pasadena, California, Ban
In May 2014 the South Pasadena City Council adopted an ordinance eliminating disposable plastic bags in grocery, drug and convenience stores, in addition to farmers' markets. The law also places a 10-cent fee on paper bags. The ban goes into effective in larger stores and farmers' markets starting October 2014, and in other covered stores December 2014.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Southampton, New York, Ban
The Southampton Town Board voted to implement a measure that will ban single-use plastic bags as of April 22, 2015.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Sunnyvale, Ban
In December 2011 Sunnyvale passed a law that banned disposable plastic bags and levied a fee on paper bags – the fee started at 10-cents and was later increased to 25-cents. The ban and fee initially only applied to grocery and convenience stores as well as large retailers; however, by March 2013 it will extend to all retailers.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Sunset Valley, Texas, Ban
Sunset Valley implemented a ban on disposable bags that went into action on September 1, 2013. Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags when they head to the store.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Union City, California, Ban
Plastic bag ban; 10 cent charge for paper bags.
NORTH AMERICA, USA, Waco, Texas, Pending ban
A nonprofit group in Waco is preparing to present a proposal to ban disposable plastic bags to the City Council.
NORTH AMERiCA, USA, Wellfleet, Mass, Ban
NORTH AMERICA , USA, Williamstown, Mass, Pending Ban
NORTH AMERICA, USA, York, Maine, Ban
OCEANA, AUSTRALIA, Capitol Territory, NSW, Ban
The Australian Capital Territory passed a law that bans single-use plastic bags. The law went into action on November 1, 2011. Leading up to the law the government polled residents to find out what the public sentiment was concerning plastic bags and a ban. Most folks supported the idea of a levy or a ban as acceptable measures to limit the amount of trash generated.
