In 2024, more and more states and cities in the U.S., from the East Coast to the West Coast, are phasing out plastic.
CALIFORNIA: Possibly in the vanguard of the anti-plastic movement, a second plastic bag ban was enacted in November to close a loophole in the state's first such 2014 law. The previous law made an exception for thicker, high-density polyethylene bags, which are considered reusable and meet certain respectability standards. This new law, which bans all plastic shopping bags in grocery stores, will go into effect on January 1, 2026. A coalition called the Responsible Recycling Alliance (RRA), made up of three California-based recycle's and manufacturers, has formed to fight this new law.RRA urges that these bags be included in the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Program, and argues that the law undermines the progress of the state's recycling infrastructure.
Other noteworthy laws in effect in other U.S. states include the following.
Colorado: Prohibits retail food establishments (grocery and convenience stores) from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. Prohibits retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene food containers to distribute ready-to-eat foods. Prohibits the distribution of food packaging that is intentionally laden with fluoridated and hydrofluorocarbon substances (PFAS). PFAS are substances known to break down slowly over time. PFAS have been found globally in human and animal blood, as well as in water, air, fish and soil. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has indicated that some studies have shown adverse effects of PFAS on human and animal health.
Hawaii: Prohibits the manufacture or sale of food packaging (wrappers and liners, dinner plates, food containers, and pizza boxes, etc.) to which PFAS is intentionally added.
Minnesota: prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS to food packaging.
New Jersey: Passed recycled content laws requiring at least 10% recycled content in rigid plastic containers, 15% in plastic beverage containers, and 20% in disposable plastic tote bags. Prohibits the use of polystyrene packaging pellets.
Rhode Island: banned single-use plastic checkout bags statewide.
Washington State: Bans bags, sleeves, bowls, flatware (e.g., plates and trays), open-top containers, and sealed containers (e.g., flip-top containers) containing fluoridated and hydrofluorocarbon substances. A series of bills focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and further bans have also emerged.
FLORIDA: S 0498 The bill would have restricted local governments from regulating secondary containers, packaging materials, single-use plastic bags, and polystyrene products (did not pass).
Hawaii: HB 1585 would prohibit state agencies from purchasing or using polystyrene food service containers (pending).
Illinois: HB 4448 A bill that would prohibit a store or food service business from offering or selling single-use plastic bags, and also prohibit grocery stores from offering or selling single-use paper bags (pending consideration).
Kansas: HB 1446 would have prohibited cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers (vetoed).
Maryland: HB 168 would require manufacturers of certain plastic products to pay an annual fee and set minimum requirements for post-consumer recycled content (pending).
Massachusetts: S 570 would ban single-use plastic bags and food service utensils, regulate the use of plastic bottles, explore extended producer responsibility for packaging, and encourage composting (replaced by new draft S2830).
New York: S 8361 would prohibit state agencies and offices from purchasing single-use plastic water bottles (pending).
Meanwhile, amid escalating legal action against plastics, the city of Baltimore has followed New York State's lead and sued Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, and plastics manufacturing companies, saying they “played a significant role” in creating the plastic pollution crisis.
