Starting January 1st, plastic bags in Washington (state) will cost 12 cents each. This is one step further on the plastic bag ban law, that has been active in the state since 2021. The idea is to use les plastic, promote recycling and reducing plastic pollution. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, shops have to respect the rules: minimum thickness of 2.25 “mils” and at least 40% recycled content.
Meanwhile, paper bags and compostable can be suggested without any additional costs; with some exceptions like, wrapping meat products.
In the words of Laurie Davies, from the solid waste management program of the Department of Ecology: “Single-use plastic bags are not easily recyclable, which makes managing them at the end of their lives almost impossible.” This change is also seen within the framework of the U.S. environmental policy, where other states like California, New York and New Jersey have also applied similar measures.
How does this measure affect our daily life?
The price per bag raises from 8 to 12 cents in Wahington state. Maybe a pushy way to motivate people to take a more responsible choice, but not a punishment.
The plastic bag ban law began to be applied in October 2021 (after the COVID-19 delay), and under the rule, single-use plastic bags themselves must follow other rules too:
- Have at least 40% recycled material.
- Meet a minimum thickness of 2.25 mils (two and a half thousandths of an inch).
- Be charged to the customer (12 cents), unlike paper or compostables (which are free).
The Washington State Department of Ecology explains that thinner bags brake faster, which mean that they won’t be recycled as much, and will end as garbage in the streets, lakes, oceans.
How does it compare to other laws in the United States?
At least 12 states has moved forward with similar rules that limit or completely ban one-use-only plastic bags. In California, for example: that restriction started in 2016 and shops has to charge for the bag and offer reusable alternatives with recyclable content. New York and New Jersey also banned retailers and food places from delivering single-use plastic bags; in New Jersey, the law was active in May 2022. And in Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek signed an extension for the law that bans thicker single-use plastic bags at the checkouts.
It’s important to understand that none of this laws force you to buy any bag. Those who don’t want to pay, can bring their own reusable bag or even cardboard boxes.
What you can do as a consumer
The Washington state measure is an opportunity to change habits in a easy way:
- Take your reusable bag: It is the simplest way to avoid paying for it and reduce plastic pollution.
- Prefer paper or compostable when possible: In the state, these options have no additional fee.
- Reuse and recycle: If do have to get that plastic bag, give it as many uses as you can and look to throw it at the recycling bin once it’s time.
- Think about the impact: A small charge helps many to reconsider single-use plastic, and on a large scale, this can reduce solid waste.
This type of policy is not trying to complicate the day-to-day purchase actually the oposite, and it promotes environmental sustainability with simple steps.
I have had the bag’s bag too (you know, that plastic bag full of many other plastic bags), if you get one every time you buy something it goes fast, and suddenly they actually take space at your place. But if you have one good and reusable bag, like those big tote bags, either thick plastic or fabric, that’s enough, one or two is all you need.
Small changes, repeated by millions of people, make a real difference in our ecosystems… and you’re also saving money!