Plastic bag bans in 2026, by state and country.
Most countries now ban or charge for the free plastic shopping bag. 2026 brought new rules in California, Washington, the UAE and the EU. This guide sets out the plastic bag ban by US state and by country, with the rules for paper, laminated, reusable and compostable bags. Every rule has its start date and its source.
The short answerThere is no national plastic bag ban in the US, but 11 states ban plastic shopping bags and all four Hawaii counties do too. Since 1 January 2026, California allows only recycled paper bags at the checkout. Every Australian state and territory bans thin plastic bags, and the UK charges for them instead of banning them. Plain paper bags are allowed almost everywhere, while plastic-laminated paper bags are banned in Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT.
What changed in 2026?
The biggest change in 2026 was California's: since 1 January, stores there can hand out only recycled paper bags at the checkout. These are the rules that started this year in the markets we deliver to.
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | California bans every plastic film checkout bag, thick reusable film bags included (SB 1053). |
| 1 January 2026 | Washington raises the charge on reusable film bags to 12 cents. |
| 1 January 2026 | Chicago's bag tax is 15 cents on every paper and plastic bag. |
| 1 January 2026 | Montgomery County, Maryland, bans plastic bags and charges 10 cents for paper. |
| 1 January 2026 | The UAE starts phase two of its single-use plastics ban. |
| 12 August 2026 | The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies. |
| 27 September 2026 | The EU bans vague green claims such as "eco-friendly" on products and packaging. |
| 1 October 2026 | Western Australia requires certified compostable barrier bags for meat, seafood and dairy. |
Next: on 30 December 2026 the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) starts to cover paper bags. Bags made from 100% recycled paper are exempt.
Is there a plastic bag ban in California?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, California bans every plastic film checkout bag at covered stores, thick reusable film bags included. The law is SB 1053, which replaced the SB 270 rules in place since 2016.
Paper bags are still allowed in California if they are recycled paper bags. A store must charge at least 10 cents for each one, and the store keeps the charge.
- At least 40% post-consumer recycled fibre, rising to 50% on 1 January 2028.
- Recyclable in the curbside collection.
- Printed with the name of its maker, the country it was made in and its recycled share.
We supply California paper bags to this rule as SOS bags, in kraft with 40% or 50% post-consumer fibre. They are printed with the maker, the country and the recycled share. Paper bags with handles made in China pay a US anti-dumping duty, and the SOS bag has no handles.
Which US states ban plastic bags?
Eleven states have a statewide plastic bag ban: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Hawaii has no state law, but all four of its counties ban them, so trackers count 12 states.
| State | Plastic bags | Paper bags |
|---|---|---|
| California | Banned since 2016. From 1 January 2026, thick film bags too. | Recycled paper only: 40% post-consumer, 50% from 2028, 10 cents minimum. |
| New York | Banned since 1 March 2020, with exemptions such as restaurant takeout. | 5 cents where a county or city opts in, such as New York City. |
| New Jersey | Banned at every store and food business since 4 May 2022. | Banned in grocery stores of 2,500 sq ft or more. |
| Washington | Banned at the checkout since 1 October 2021. | 8 cents, 40% recycled content with the share printed. |
| Oregon | Banned since 1 January 2020. Reusable plastic and fabric checkout bags end on 1 January 2027. | 5 cents in stores. The only checkout bag from 2027. |
| Colorado | Banned since 1 January 2024. | 10 cents, 100% recycled material. |
| Vermont | Banned since 1 July 2020. | 10 cents. |
| Connecticut | Banned under 4 mils since 1 July 2021. | No required charge. |
| Delaware | Banned at large stores since 1 January 2021, and at every store since 1 July 2022. | Charge optional. |
| Maine | Banned since 1 July 2021, compostable plastic included. | 5 cents in stores, recyclable. |
| Rhode Island | Banned at the checkout since 1 January 2024. | No required charge. 40% post-consumer, recyclable, with the share printed. |
| Hawaii | No state law. Every county bans them: Kauai and Maui since 2011, Hawaii County since 2014, Honolulu since 2015. | Honolulu: 15 cents, 40% post-consumer, recyclable. |
Cities add their own rules. Chicago's bag tax is 15 cents on every paper and plastic bag from January 2026. Washington, DC charges 5 cents, and Montgomery County, Maryland, charges 10 cents from 2026.
Are plastic bags banned in Australia?
Yes. Every Australian state and territory bans lightweight plastic shopping bags. Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT go further: they ban plastic shopping bags of any thickness, and plastic-laminated paper bags too.
| State or territory | The rule |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Plastic shopping bags of 35 microns or less banned since 1 June 2022, compostable plastic included. |
| Victoria | Plastic shopping bags of 35 microns or less banned since 1 November 2019, compostable plastic included. |
| Queensland | Lightweight plastic shopping bags under 35 microns banned since 2018. Thicker film bags need 80% recycled content and a 125 use rating. |
| Western Australia | All plastic shopping bags with handles banned since 1 July 2022. Plastic-laminated paper bags banned. Non-woven bags must be 90gsm or more with stitched seams. |
| South Australia | All plastic film shopping bags banned since 1 September 2024, unless certified compostable. Plastic-laminated paper bags banned. Non-woven bags must be 90gsm or more with sewn seams. |
| Tasmania | Lightweight plastic shopping bags under 35 microns banned since 1 November 2013. Compostable bags to AS 4736 allowed. |
| ACT | All plastic shopping bags banned since 1 January 2024, plastic-laminated paper bags included. Non-woven bags must be 90gsm or more with sewn seams. |
| Northern Territory | Lightweight plastic bags under 35 microns banned since 1 September 2011. Compostable bags to AS 4736 allowed. |
Kraft paper and calico bags are allowed in every state and territory. New South Wales plans to phase out plastic shopping bags with handles at any thickness from late 2027.
Which countries have banned plastic bags?
Most of the countries in this guide ban thin plastic shopping bags or charge for them. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, India and the UAE ban them, while the UK, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore charge for them.
| Country | Thin plastic shopping bags |
|---|---|
| Australia | Banned in every state and territory, state by state from 2009 to 2024. |
| New Zealand | Banned under 70 microns since 1 July 2019, compostable plastic included. |
| Canada | Plastic checkout bags banned: import since 20 December 2022, sale since 20 December 2023. A plastic fabric bag must pass a 100 use test and a wash. |
| UK | Charged, not banned. Each nation sets its own charge, Wales first in 2011. |
| Ireland | Charged since March 2002: a 22 cent levy on every plastic bag, paid to the state. |
| US | No national law. Eleven states and all four Hawaii counties ban them. |
| France | Banned under 50 microns: checkout bags since 1 July 2016, other bags since 1 January 2017. Fruit and vegetable bags must be home compostable and partly bio-based. |
| Germany | Banned under 50 microns since 1 January 2022, compostable plastic included. |
| Spain | Charged since 1 July 2018, and compostable only since 1 January 2021, for bags under 50 microns. Thicker bags need 50% recycled plastic. |
| Italy | Bags under 50 microns must be certified compostable to EN 13432, since 1 January 2018. |
| Netherlands | No free plastic bags of any thickness since 1 January 2016. Plastic-laminated paper bags count as plastic. |
| Japan | Charged since 1 July 2020: every plastic bag with handles. Paper and cloth bags are exempt. |
| Singapore | Charged at large supermarkets since 3 July 2023: 5 cents on every disposable bag, paper included. |
| Hong Kong | Charged: HKD 1 per plastic bag since 31 December 2022. Laminated paper and non-woven bags count as plastic. |
| Malaysia | Charged at 20 sen or more in most states, in Selangor since 2020. Penang announced a ban for 1 September 2026. |
| Philippines | No national ban. Cities such as Makati, Quezon City and Marikina ban them, Makati since 2003. |
| India | Banned under 120 microns since 31 December 2022. Some states ban every plastic carry bag. |
| South Africa | Banned under 24 microns, with a levy on the rest since 2004. |
| UAE | Banned since 1 January 2024, biodegradable plastic included. |
| Saudi Arabia | Not banned. Since December 2017, plastic bags must be OXO-biodegradable and carry the SASO logo. |
| Mexico | Mexico City bans plastic bags unless they are compostable, since 1 January 2020. |
| Brazil | São Paulo (2015) and Rio de Janeiro state (2019) allow only bags with at least 51% renewable material, in green or grey. |
Is there a plastic bag ban in the UK?
No. The UK has a carrier bag charge instead of a ban, and each nation sets its own. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland charge for paper bags too.
| Nation | The carrier bag charge |
|---|---|
| England | 10p minimum since 21 May 2021 (5p from 2015), on plastic bags up to 70 microns, at every retailer. |
| Scotland | 10p minimum since 1 April 2021 (5p from 2014), on every single-use carrier bag, paper included. Cotton, jute and hemp bags are exempt. |
| Wales | 5p minimum since 1 October 2011, on every single-use carrier bag, paper included. |
| Northern Ireland | 25p levy since 1 April 2022 (5p from 2013), on every new carrier bag priced at GBP 5 or less, any material. |
Where are paper bags banned or charged?
Plain paper bags are rarely banned. New Jersey bans them in grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more. Many more places require a charge, a share of recycled fibre, or both.
| Market | Charge, and what the paper bag must be |
|---|---|
| California | 10 cent minimum charge. 40% post-consumer recycled, 50% from 2028, recyclable, with the maker, country and recycled share printed. |
| Washington | 8 cent minimum charge. 40% recycled content, with the share printed. |
| Oregon | 5 cent minimum charge in stores. 40% recycled or non-wood fibre. The only checkout bag from 2027. |
| Colorado | 10 cent fee. 100% recycled material. |
| Vermont | 10 cent minimum charge. The bag must be recyclable. |
| Maine | 5 cent minimum charge in stores. Recyclable, and 20% post-consumer if it carries 8 lb or more. |
| New York | 5 cent charge where a county or city opts in, such as New York City. |
| Washington, DC | 5 cent charge. 40% post-consumer, recyclable, with a recycling line printed. |
| Chicago | 15 cent tax on every paper and plastic bag. |
| Honolulu | 15 cent minimum charge. 40% post-consumer, recyclable, printed "Reusable" and "Recyclable". |
| Scotland | 10p minimum charge on any single-use carrier bag. |
| Wales | 5p minimum charge on any single-use carrier bag. |
| Northern Ireland | 25p levy on any carrier bag priced at GBP 5 or less. |
| British Columbia | CAD 0.25 minimum charge. 40% recycled content. |
| Singapore | 5 cent minimum charge at large supermarkets, on any disposable bag. |
No charge on paper bags is required in England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, South Africa or the EU countries in this guide.
Where are laminated paper bags banned?
Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT ban plastic-laminated paper shopping bags. The Netherlands and Hong Kong treat them as plastic bags. Spain taxes their plastic layer when the bags are imported.
| Market | The rule |
|---|---|
| Western Australia | Banned since 1 July 2022: paper bags with a plastic or cello laminate. |
| ACT | Banned since 1 January 2024: plastic-laminated paper or cardboard bags. |
| South Australia | Banned since 1 September 2024: plastic-laminated paper or cardboard shopping bags. |
| Netherlands | Counted as a plastic bag since 1 January 2016, so a shop cannot give it free. |
| Hong Kong | Counted as a plastic bag, so it carries the HKD 1 charge. Plastic handles count too. |
| Spain | Since 1 January 2023, a tax of EUR 0.45 per kg on the plastic layer, paid on import. |
| European Union | From 2030 at the earliest, every bag must reach a recyclability grade. The scoring for laminated paper is not set yet. |
Unlaminated kraft with paper handles meets every one of these rules. Kraft still takes foil, embossing and screen print, so the bag looks finished without a film.
What counts as a reusable bag?
A reusable bag is one that passes the local law's test: a minimum number of uses, a washable material and, in most places, stitched handles. New York accepts only bags made without plastic, so non-woven polypropylene and recycled PET totes do not count there. Cotton, jute and canvas bags pass almost everywhere.
| Market | What a reusable bag must be |
|---|---|
| New York | Made without plastic: cloth or washable fabric with handles, rated for 125 uses carrying 22 lb over 175 ft |
| New Jersey | Washable fabric such as polypropylene, PET non-woven, nylon, cloth or hemp, with stitched or welded handles, rated for 125 uses |
| Colorado | Rated for 125 uses carrying 22 lb over 175 ft, with stitched handles |
| Delaware | Stitched handles, washable, rated for 125 uses |
| Rhode Island | Stitched handles, washable, rated for 125 uses |
| Vermont | Cloth or washable fabric with stitched handles, or polypropylene with stitched handles |
| Maine | Rated for 75 uses carrying 18 lb, washable; 4 mils if plastic |
| Oregon | Reusable fabric and plastic checkout bags end on 1 January 2027 |
| Canada | A plastic fabric bag must carry 10 kg over 53 m 100 times and survive one wash |
| Western Australia | Non-woven polypropylene of 90gsm or more with stitched seams; cotton, jute, hessian, bamboo and hemp allowed |
| South Australia | Non-woven polypropylene of 90gsm or more with sewn seams; nylon, polyester, woven polypropylene and non-plastic bags allowed |
| ACT | Non-woven polypropylene of 90gsm or more with sewn seams; nylon, polyester, woven polypropylene and non-plastic bags allowed |
| Queensland | Film bags of 35 microns or more need 80% recycled content and a 125 use rating; fabric bags fall outside the rule |
| New Zealand | Synthetic fabric bags, woven or non-woven, are exempt from the ban |
| Ireland | A plastic bag sold for 70 cent or more is exempt from the levy |
| Japan | Plastic film of 50 microns or more, marked for repeated use, is exempt from the charge |
| Spain | Plastic of 50 microns or more with at least 50% recycled plastic |
| India | Non-woven bags of 60gsm or more |
For Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT, ask for non-woven of 90gsm or heavier with sewn seams. For New York, choose cotton canvas or calico.
Are compostable bags allowed?
It depends on the market: some require compostable bags for certain uses, and others ban them like any other plastic bag. Italy, Spain, France, Western Australia, South Australia and Mexico City require them for some bags. Germany bans thin compostable bags, and New Zealand, New South Wales and Victoria ban compostable shopping bags.
| Market | Where compostable is required, and the standard |
|---|---|
| Italy | Plastic bags under 50 microns, certified compostable to EN 13432 by an accredited body. |
| Spain | Plastic bags under 50 microns, compostable to EN 13432, stated on the bag. |
| France | Fruit and vegetable bags: home compostable and 60% bio-based. |
| Western Australia | Produce bags, then barrier bags for loose food from October 2025 and for meat, seafood and dairy from October 2026. Certified to AS 4736 or AS 5810, with the certificate number on the bag. |
| South Australia | Barrier bags, certified to AS 4736 or AS 5810. Certified compostable shopping bags are allowed. |
| Mexico City | Any plastic bag at the point of sale, under the city's own definition. |
| California | Produce bags before the checkout: recycled content or compostable, under California's labelling rules. |
Banned even when compostable: thin bags in Germany. Compostable shopping bags are also banned in New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria, British Columbia, Maine, Rhode Island and the UAE.
What are PPWR and EUDR?
PPWR is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, (EU) 2025/40, which applies from 12 August 2026. For bags, it bans plastic carrier bags under 15 microns from 1 January 2030, except for hygiene or loose food. From 2030, every bag must also reach a recyclability grade.
EUDR is the EU Deforestation Regulation, (EU) 2023/1115. From 30 December 2026 it covers paper bags. The importer must show the wood fibre is deforestation-free, with the location of the forest it came from. Bags made from 100% recycled paper are exempt.
What changes between now and 2030?
| When | What changes |
|---|---|
| 30 December 2026 | European Union: paper bags from new fibre need proof of forest origin at import (EUDR). Bags of 100% recycled paper are exempt. |
| 1 January 2027 | Oregon: recycled paper becomes the only checkout bag. |
| 1 January 2027 | South Africa: plastic carrier bags must be 100% recycled plastic. |
| 18 January 2027 | New Jersey: reusable plastic bags need 40% post-consumer content. |
| Late 2027, planned | New South Wales: plastic shopping bags with handles phased out at any thickness. |
| 1 January 2028 | California: recycled paper bags need 50% post-consumer content. |
| 1 January 2028 | Washington: reusable film bags need 4 mils. |
| From 12 August 2028 | European Union: one sorting label for packaging across the EU. |
| 1 January 2030 | European Union: plastic bags under 15 microns banned, except for hygiene or loose food. Every bag must meet a recyclability grade (PPWR). |
How we match bags to these rules
Tell us where the bags will be used, and we match the bag to that market's rule. The factories we work with hold FSC, compostable and EU certificates, and certificates for your market are available on request.
- Kraft paper with 40% or 50% post-consumer recycled content, and FSC certified paper.
- California SOS paper bags to SB 1053, printed with the maker, the country and the recycled share.
- Unlaminated kraft with paper handles, wherever laminated bags are restricted.
- Non-woven of 90gsm or heavier with sewn seams for Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT.
- Cotton canvas and calico totes for New York and the other markets that exclude plastic.
- Certified compostable bags to EN 13432 for Europe, and to AS 4736 or AS 5810 for Australia.
- The marks a country asks for, printed with your design, such as France's Triman logo and sorting label, or Italy's material code.
Rules change. We review this page every three months, and check the rule for your market when we quote. The bags this applies to: the Kraft Paper Bag, the Cotton Bag, the Non-woven Bag and the Compostable Bag.
Sources
Each rule comes from the government or legal source below, or an official announcement reported by the press, checked in October 2026.
| Where | Source |
|---|---|
| United States | CalRecycle New York DEC New Jersey Washington Ecology Oregon DEQ Colorado HB 21-1162 Maine 38 M.R.S. 1611 Rhode Island 23-19.18 Honolulu Washington Department of Revenue |
| US cities and Hawaii | Chicago checkout bag tax Washington, DC bag law Montgomery County, Maryland Kauai County County of Hawaii Hawaii Department of Health |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | GOV.UK Zero Waste Scotland Welsh Government nidirect Revenue Ireland |
| Canada, Australia and New Zealand | SOR/2022-138 Western Australia South Australia ACT NSW EPA Queensland New Zealand Ministry for the Environment |
| Asia, Africa and the Gulf | Singapore NEA Hong Kong EPD India PIB South Africa WTO note on Saudi Arabia UAE phase two (Economy Middle East) |
| European Union | Packaging Regulation 2025/40 Deforestation Regulation 2023/1115 |
| European countries, Japan and Mexico | Légifrance German Environment Ministry MITECO Spain MASE Italy Rijksoverheid METI Japan Mexico City |
Questions
Is there a plastic bag ban in New York?
Yes. New York has banned plastic carryout bags since 1 March 2020, with exemptions such as restaurant takeout. Counties and cities that opt in, New York City among them, add a 5 cent charge on paper bags.
Is there a plastic bag ban in New Jersey?
Yes. Since 4 May 2022, New Jersey bans plastic carryout bags at every store and food business. Grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more cannot hand out paper bags either.
Is there a bag fee in Washington state?
Yes. Stores charge at least 8 cents for a large recycled paper bag, and 12 cents for a reusable film bag from 2026. Plastic carryout bags have been banned since 1 October 2021.
Is there a plastic bag ban in Canada?
Yes. Canada banned the import of plastic checkout bags on 20 December 2022 and their sale on 20 December 2023. The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the ban on 30 January 2026.
Are paper bags banned?
Rarely. New Jersey bans them in grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more. Elsewhere plain paper bags are allowed, though many places require a charge or recycled content.
Where does the 10 cent bag charge go in California?
The store keeps it. California's 10 cent minimum on recycled paper bags is a charge the store collects, not a tax.
Written by the Bag Bureau production team. Last updated October 2026.