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Salem Plastic Bag Law Takes Effect As Lawmakers Consider Statewide Ban

Chris Lehman
/
KLCC

Shoppers in Salem may need to find a new routine starting Monday. That's when the city is banning single-use plastic bags at large retail outlets.

Salem’s new law will require stores to charge customers at least a nickel for paper bags. The fee will be waived for customers using public assistance programs to purchase their groceries. The city has been https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jp-iHLNsH4">running ads to remind shoppers of the new ordinance and to urge people to make it a habit to bring along their own bags.

By September, the law will apply to all retail stores, regardless of size, including convenience stores and those that primarily sell non-food items. Grocery stores will still be permitted to provide plastic bags at produce and meat displays.

Portland, Eugene, Covallis and a handful of smaller cities have already banned single-use plastic bags at most retail outlets. Plastic bag regulations take effect later this year in Bend, Lake Oswego and Silverton. 

It comes as state lawmakers are considering whether to extend a similar ban statewide. The bill is up for a possible committee vote on Tuesday.

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”