SEATTLE, WA – A statewide ban on single-use plastic bags has been delayed 30 days by Governor Jay Inslee. Inslee, a Democrat who is following the lead of Democrat governors across America signed into legislation a bill to ban the use of single-use bags in the state effective New Year’s Day. That order has now been delayed.
“This order delays implementation of a law that passed the Legislature in 2020 that was set to go into effect on January 1, 2021, relating to a statewide prohibition on retailers’ issuance of single-use plastic bags,” Inslee said.
The governor is delaying the new law’s implementation due to supply issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are affecting their ability to procure the alternative bags, including:
- Increased demand for paper and thicker plastic bags, due to increased demand for takeout and groceries;
- Retailers asking customers not to bring bags from home, to protect workers; and
- Thicker plastic bag manufacturers transitioning their facilities to manufacture hospital gowns and other PPE.
This order is effective December 31 and it will expire at 11:59 PM on January 30, 2021 unless further extended by the Legislature.