WASHINGTON – Starting in 2026, shoppers across Washington will see an increase in plastic grocery bag fees, rising from eight cents to twelve.
The Department of Ecology explained that this change is aimed at encouraging people to reduce their consumption of plastic bags.
The department emphasized the importance of reusing bags. “The best way that we can do that as individual consumers is to reuse our bags, whether that’s plastic or the durable bags we have at home,” said Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist Carolyn Bowie.
The bag fee increase has sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some see it as a necessary step to reduce environmental litter. “But at its core, the bag ban is really intended to reduce litter in the environment,” Bowie noted.
Consumers are encouraged to view paper and plastic bags as products they choose to purchase. “Folks may want to think about paper and plastic bags as another product in the store that they’re purchasing that they’re choosing to buy, because it serves that purpose of gathering your items together so you can bring them home,” said Bowie.
The Department of Ecology is reminding everyone to bring their own bags to avoid the extra cost.
For further information on this initiative, visit the Department of Ecology’s website.
