New York
Effective March 1, 2020Plastic carryout bags are prohibited for most sales-tax vendors. Plastic bags of any thickness do not qualify as reusable under the state rule.
Official guidancePlastic bag rules,
made clearer.
A practical starting point for planning compliant carryout programs across New York and other regulated states.
Reviewed September 202612 statewide or statewide-equivalent programs
New York FAQWhat retail teams
What retail teams
need to know.
New York’s rules turn on who provides the bag, where it is provided and what the bag is used for. These answers summarize the most common planning questions.
01What does New York prohibit?+
Since March 1, 2020, businesses required to collect New York sales tax generally may not provide plastic carryout bags at checkout. The rule applies to bags used to carry purchased goods, not every plastic bag used inside a store.
02Are thick plastic checkout bags considered reusable in New York?+
No. New York’s definition of a reusable bag is non-plastic. The bag must be cloth, machine-washable fabric or another durable material; include a properly attached non-stretch handle; and meet the state’s durability standard.
03Which bags are commonly exempt?+
Examples include bags for loose produce and bulk goods; unwrapped meat, fish or poultry; prepared food from restaurants; prescription drugs; dry cleaning and garments; newspaper delivery; and bags sold as trash or food-storage bags. The exact use—not only the material—matters.
04Can a store provide paper bags?+
Yes. Counties and cities that adopt New York’s paper carryout bag reduction fee collect five cents on qualifying paper bags. Fee rules and exemptions should be checked for each store location.
05What should a retailer document before ordering?+
Confirm the store type, use case, bag construction, material and thickness, recycled-content or certification claims, required markings, any customer charge, and the rules for every destination. Keep the approved specification and supporting documentation with the program record.
State snapshotOne country.
One country.
Many bag rules.
These are statewide or statewide-equivalent checkout-bag programs. This is a planning overview, not a substitute for the current rule in every city and county.
New Jersey
Effective May 4, 2022Stores and food-service businesses cannot provide single-use plastic carryout bags. Grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more also cannot provide single-use paper carryout bags.
Official guidanceCalifornia
Updated January 1, 2026Covered stores may provide only recycled paper carryout bags at checkout, for a minimum charge of ten cents. Plastic-film checkout bags are no longer allowed.
Official guidanceColorado
Effective January 1, 2024Covered stores cannot provide plastic carryout bags and must charge at least ten cents for recycled paper bags. Small-store and other exemptions apply.
Official guidanceConnecticut
Effective July 1, 2021Single-use plastic checkout bags under four mils are prohibited. The earlier statewide ten-cent plastic-bag fee ended when the ban began.
Official guidanceDelaware
Expanded July 1, 2022Retail stores, other than restaurants, may not provide plastic-film bags at checkout regardless of thickness. Paper and qualifying reusable fabric bags may be offered.
Official guidanceHawai‘i
County rules apply statewideAll four counties regulate checkout bags, creating a de facto statewide system. Bag definitions, fees and permitted alternatives differ by county.
Official guidanceMaine
Enforced July 1, 2021Retail establishments that provide a carryout bag must use a qualifying reusable or recycled paper bag and generally charge at least five cents.
Official guidanceOregon
Effective January 1, 2020Retail stores and restaurants cannot provide single-use checkout bags. Most qualifying paper and reusable bags carry a minimum five-cent charge.
Official guidanceRhode Island
Effective January 1, 2024Retail establishments may not provide single-use plastic bags at the point of sale. The statewide rule creates a common baseline across the state.
Official guidanceVermont
Effective July 1, 2020Stores and food-service establishments cannot provide plastic carryout bags, including thick and compostable plastic bags. Most paper carryout bags cost at least ten cents.
Official guidanceWashington
Fee updated January 1, 2026Thin single-use plastic bags remain prohibited. The minimum charge is twelve cents for permitted thicker plastic-film bags and eight cents for paper bags.
Official guidanceBefore the purchase orderBuild compliance
Build compliance
into the specification.
- 01Map every store
State, county and city rules can all affect the same program.
- 02Define the exact use
Checkout, produce, prepared food, pharmacy and garment bags are often treated differently.
- 03Verify the construction
Material, gauge, handles, recycled content, durability and markings may determine eligibility.
- 04Plan the fee and rollout
Confirm customer charges, receipt treatment, inventory transition and the effective date.
Bag laws change, and local rules may be stricter than the statewide baseline. Confirm the current requirements with the responsible government agency or legal counsel before placing a production order.
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