Maine's Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Goes Into Effect July 1

Restaurants and small retailers will be allowed to give away only reusable or recycled paper bags.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminded that the previously announced ban on single-use plastic carryout bags across the state is due to come into effect July 1, 2021. The ban, approved by the Maine Legislature in 2019, was originally scheduled to go into effect on April 22, 2020. However, the implementation of the ban was further delayed two times on account of ongoing Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

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Effective July 1, 2021, retails establishments including retail stores, restaurants as well as temporary or pop-up businesses will not be allowed to provide single-use plastic carry-out bags. Instead, shoppers are required to bring their own reusable bags. The stores will offer recycled paper bags or reusable bags to customers at a charge of 5-cents per bag. Also, cloth bags with stitched handles may be given away free of cost. Restaurants and small retailers will be allowed to give away only reusable or recycled paper bags.

Retails stores are allowed to provide single-use bags in-store for loose unpackaged goods such as produce, deli and bakery items. These stores must offer plastic bag recycling drop off facility at their premises.

The legislation aims to reduce the volume of plastic in Maine’s waste stream, by eliminating single-use plastics and promoting reusable bags.

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