New WA law increases penalties for litter, delays plastic bag requirements

Washington residents will soon face heftier fines for littering and higher prices for plastic grocery bags.

A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday toughens the punishment for littering and delays requirements for retailers to offer thicker bags for sale from Jan. 1, 2026 until 2028.

The Legislature will use the two years to review the state’s reusable bag policies, Ferguson said. Retailers who sell thicker bags before the mandate is in effect will be penalized four cents a bag, under the new law.

“We’re called the Evergreen State and is it really evergreen with all the litter?” said Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, sponsor of House Bill 1293. “Our freeways, our interstates, are just packed with litter, it’s horrible.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/05/18/new-wa-law-increases-penalties-for-litter-delays-plastic-bag-requirements/