The Governor of Oregon just signed into law a ban on single-use plastic bags that will go into effect in January of next year. The law also requires retailers to charge at least five cents for paper bags (with 40% post-consumer recycled content or more). Oregon joins Maine and Vermont, whose Governors signed similar bills late last month. Vermont’s bill even goes beyond just banning plastics and prevents retailers and restaurants from providing plastic stirrers, or cups, takeout, or other food containers made from expanded polystyrene as well as mandating that straws be given to customers. Oregon’s bill likewise bans single-use plastic straws immediately with only a few exceptions.
July 9, 2019 » plastic bags, plastic straws, single use plastic