Beginning on January 1, 2026, an additional four-cent charge will be added to each plastic bag sold by retailers and restaurants, the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) announced. The new law, passed in July, will increase the current eight-cent charge per thick reusable plastic carryout bag to 12 cents, and charges for paper bags will remain at eight cents.
鈥淧aper and plastic carryout bags impact the environment at every stage of their production, transportation, and disposal,鈥� Peter Lyon, manager of Ecology鈥檚 Solid Waste Management Program. 鈥淏ringing your own bag is the easiest way to avoid the charge, reduce emissions, preserve resources, and prevent bags from becoming litter.鈥�
The minimum thickness of 2.25 mil will continue to be required until January 1, 2028, after the legislature delayed the increase to 4 mil from 2026 to 2028.