Taxing groceries, one bag at a time

House Bill 2233 bans most plastic bags at retail establishments starting January 1, 2028, expanding the current plastic bag restrictions to cover nearly all plastic bags under 10 mils in thickness. Manufacturers would be prohibited from selling or distributing these bags in Washington, with limited exceptions for food banks, food assistance providers, and certain compostable bags.

The bill also increases the paper bag charges from $0.08 to $0.20 per bag starting January 1, 2028 – a cost paid directly by consumers at checkout. While paper bags would remain available, shoppers would have fewer choices and higher out-of-pocket costs each time they buy groceries or household essentials.

Why is this a bad policy?

• Raises grocery costs for families. Increasing the paper bag charge from $0.08 to $0.20 may seem small, but it adds up quickly for families shopping week after week—especially because Washington’s sales tax is applied to the bag fee. A family using five paper bags a week would pay $52 a year in bag fees, plus more than $5 in sales tax (based on Olympia’s 9.8% sales tax rate), for a total of over $57 a year added to their grocery budget. Under the current $0.08 fee, that same family pays $20.80 in bag fees and $22.84 total, including sales tax. That’s a 150% increase in fees and taxes just to carry groceries home. At a time when families are already struggling with the cost of living, this bill effectively taxes groceries and everyday necessities one bag at a time.
• Limits consumer choice at checkout. By banning plastic bags and increasing paper bag fees, the bill removes convenient and affordable options for consumers. Shoppers lose the ability to choose the bag that best fits their needs, especially for quick trips, small purchases, or transportation challenges.
• Hits low- and middle-income households the hardest. Bag fees are a regressive cost. Everyone pays the same amount, regardless of income. Families living paycheck to paycheck feel these added charges most, particularly those with limited access to reusable bags or reliable transportation.
• Moves ahead before existing recycling reforms are fully in place. Plastic bags are already covered under Washington’s new recycling and producer responsibility laws. Rather than allowing those reforms to work as intended, this bill adds new bans and fees that increase costs for consumers without waiting to see whether recycling outcomes actually improve.

Bottom line
HB 2233 raises grocery costs, limits consumer choice, and places another regressive fee on Washington families—all while moving ahead of existing recycling reforms. It’s a policy that makes everyday shopping more expensive, one bag at a time.