Washington state Senate approves ban on plastic bags

Lawmakers in the state of Washington are reviewing a bill that aims to ban single-use plastic statewide. Washington State Senate approved SB 5323 on March 5, which aims to reduce pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments. Washington retailers would have one year to use up their current supply of one-time use plastic bags.

Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent) sponsored SB 5323. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the state’s House Committee on Environment & Energy on March 18. If the bill becomes law, Washington would become the second state to initiate a statewide plastic bag ban. 

The state’s lawmakers also have introduced similar bills earlier this year, such as HB 1205. HB 1205, introduced on Jan. 16, would prohibit retail establishments from giving customers single-use plastic carryout bags or paper bags that do not meet recycling requirements.