Chicago, the nation’s third largest city, has become the latest U.S. city to approve a ban on plastic shopping bags.
The City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a partial plastic bag ban in Chicago. The proposal passed with a vote of 36-10.
The new ordinance will first go into effect in August 2015, when retailers occupying stores that are more than 10,000 square foot will no longer be allowed to offer plastic bags. Chain stores—defined as three or more under the same ownership—or franchise stores larger than 10,000 square feet. The ban will be extended to smaller chain stores and franchises in August 2016. Small independent or non-franchise stores and restaurants will not be affected by the legislation. Restaurants are exempt.
Last year, the nation’s second largest city, Los Angeles, California adopted plastic bag regulations. New York City, the largest city in the U.S. is currently considering a plastic shopping bag proposal.
Listed below are the United States’ largest cities that have passed plastic shopping bag regulations
| Rank | City | Plastic Bag Regulations |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | Passed plastic bag ban, June, 2013 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | Passed plastic bag ban, April, 2014 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | Five cents fee, plastic or paper, March, 2014 |
| 10 | San Jose, CA | Passed plastic and paper bag ban, December, 2010 |
| 11 | Austin, TX | Passed ban on plastic and paper bags, March, 2012 |
| 14 | San Francisco, CA | Passed plastic bag ban, April, 2007 |
| 22 | Seattle, WA | Passed plastic bag ban, December, 2011 |
| 24 | Washington, D.C. | Five cents fee, plastic or paper, July, 2009 |
| 28 | Portland, OR | Passed plastic bag ban, July, 2011 |
Our retail packaging specialists continue to stay on top of the changing markets. Let us help you navigate bag legislation in the municipalities you sell into and select the best packaging for your stores. We hope that you will contact us by phone at 888-429-5673 or via email at baglaws@swalter.com.
