Enhanced plastic bag ban takes effect July 1 in Delaware

DELAWARE – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is reminding shoppers that the options for packaging groceries and consumer goods are soon changing in the First State.

Starting on July 1st, retail stores in Delaware, with the exception of restaurants, will no longer provide plastic bags at checkout. An updated plastic bag ban, which was passed by the Delaware General Assembly in 2021, expands the 2019 plastic ban to include all retail stores (with restaurants being the exception), regardless of size, and bans the distribution or sale of all plastic film carryout bags at checkout.

Delaware’s 2019 plastic bag ban allowed 2.25 millimeter-thick plastic film bags to be considered reusable. Last June, the legislature enhanced the plastic bag ban to include all plastic film carryout bags, regardless of thickness. Starting July 1st, retailers can choose to offer paper bags or reusable bags made from cloth or other durable fabric with stitched handles. The law also allows retail stores to charge customers for these bags at checkout.

We’re told the goal of this enhanced bag ban is to reduce roadside, waterway, and seaside litter; to same valuable landfill space; to increase recycling efforts; and to help recycling facilities avoid delays when plastic bags get stuck in their machinery.

Officials are encouraging customers to bring cloth or fabric reusable bags with them when they stop. They also add that these reusable bags should be washed or cleaned after each use by turning them inside out and wiping them down with a cleaning agent or disinfectant.