The Department encourages shoppers to procure their own supply of reusable bags, as that is the intent of the law – to eliminate single-use carry-out bags and encourage consistent use of reusable bags. Stores that wish to post a notice about this law for their customers may download a print-ready poster (pdf) file. Retailers that continue to provide single-use plastic bags within the store for shoppers to collect loose unpackaged goods prior to purchase must serve as a public plastic bag recycling drop-off location for all plastic bags and film, including those provided by other stores. Specific details regarding allowable single-use plastic bags and plastic bag and film recycling drop-off location requirements are outlined in the FAQs (pdf). Please reference the FAQs (pdf) for detailed information on these exemptions. There are exemptions that allow for proper collection or containment of products that might need additional wrapping or protection. Question: Are there exemptions for certain uses, like bags for produce, baked goods, raw or live animals, etc.? Answer: Yes. All single-use plastic carry-out bags are prohibited under this law, regardless of whether those bags are made from petroleum or from biobased, biodegradable, or compostable plastic or plant-based materials. Question: Are compostable, biobased, or biodegradable single-use plastic carry-out bags acceptable substitutes? Answer: No. Question: Can existing stock of single-use plastic bags be used up if purchased prior to July 1, 2021? Answer: No, there is no provision in the law to use up existing stock after the law is in effect. It is not subject to sales tax, nor is it a refundable deposit. Some of the most common questions retailers have asked about this law are answered below: Question: What happens to the bag fee money collected by retailers? Answer: The bag fee funds are kept by the retailer to use for any legal purpose they see fit. Additional details regarding acceptable bags, the 5-cent fee, and answers to other commonly asked questions can be found in the FAQs (pdf). Also, a minimum fee of 5 cents per bag must be charged. If you choose to provide carry-out bags, they must meet the requirements outlined in the " FAQs (pdf)" of being either a recycled paper bag or a reusable bag. Single-use plastic carry-out bags banned by this law include recyclable or compostable, biodegradable, or biobased single-use plastic carry-out bags. As a retailer, what does this mean?Īs a retailer, the option of providing carry-out bags for customers is up to you. Some of these establishments are exempt from charging the 5-cent fee. A " frequently asked questions (pdf)" document, offers more details outlining what is considered a reusable bag and a recycled paper bag, who must charge the 5-cent fee, and other questions and answers. Retail establishments include stores, restaurants, and temporary, seasonal, or pop-up businesses such as farmers markets, food trucks, or fairs where merchandise including food, goods, products, or clothing is sold. In addition, retail establishments must charge a fee of at least 5-cents per carry-out bag. The Department will begin enforcement of the law that bans these bags (38 M.R.S § 1611) as of July 1, 2021. The law went into effect April 22, 2020, however due to several concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department had twice delayed its enforcement.Īll carry-out bags made available by a retailer to customers at the point-of-sale must either be a reusable bag or a recycled paper bag. 1532, An Act To Eliminate Single-use Plastic Carry-out Bags, in an effort to reduce usage of single-use plastic carry-out bags and encourage the use of reusable bags, and thereby reduce plastic waste and litter. The bill was signed by the Governor on June 17, 2019. In 2019, The Maine Legislature passed L.D.
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