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Maine
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*Statewide Legislation Bath Belfast Biddeford Blue Hill Brunswick Camden Cape Elizabeth Damariscotta Falmouth Freeport Kennebunk Manchester Mount Desert Newcastle Portland Rockland Saco South Portland Southwest Harbor Topsham Waterville York
*Statewide Legislation |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 4/22/2020 |
Stores Affected All business establishments; restaurants exempt |
Paper Bag Requirements (1) Is 100% recyclable; and (2) Contains at least 20% post-consumer recycled material if it has a capacity to hold at least 8 pounds, |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements None specified |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements a bag with handles that: (1) Is designed and manufactured to withstand a minimum of 75 repeated uses; (2) Is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (3) If made from plastic is at least 4 mils thick; and (4) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information The requirement to charge a fee under paragraph A does not apply to: (1) Stores at which less than 2% of retail sales are attributed to the sale of food and that have less than 10,000 square feet of retail area; (2) Restaurants; or (3) Hunger relief organizations engaged in distributing food directly to consumers at no charge. |
Updated as of 7/16/2019 |
Bath |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 4/22/2018 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments and restaurants |
Paper Bag Requirements None Stated |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase $0.10 after 1st year and $0.15 after 2nd year |
Reusable Bag Requirements Is designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; 2. Is made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; 3. Is at least two and one-quarter (2.25) mils thick if made from plastic, has handles, and has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information A store may make available for sale to a customer a single-use paper carryout bag for a mandatory, minimum charge of five cents ($0.05) per bag. The charge will increase to ten cents ($0.10) per bag one year after this ordinance takes effect. The charge will increase to fifteen cents ($0.15) per bag two years after this ordinance takes effect. |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Belfast |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 1/1/2018 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag designed and manufactured to withstand 50 repeated uses over a period of time; is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; is at least 4 mils thick if made of plastic; and has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Biddeford |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 7/15/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements None Specified |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Fee Per Paper Bag None Specified |
Later Fee Increase None Specified |
Reusable Bag Requirements Designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly, has a minimum rated lifetime of 75 uses, capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds and if plastic is at least 4.0 mil thick |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Additional Information https://www.ecode360.com/BI3074/laws/LF1084632.pdf |
Updated as of 7/16/2019 |
Blue Hill |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 6/10/2018 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag specifically designed and manufactured for the repeated use of carrying food, beverage or merchandise, whether made of cloth, fiber or plastic, and has the capability of carrying a 18 pounds or more and, if plastic, is at least 4.0 mil thick. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 4/17/2018 |
Brunswick |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 9/1/2017 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements a bag that is: (a) designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; (b) is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) at least 4.0 mil thick if made from plastic; (d) has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and (e) capable of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 6/9/2017 |
Camden |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 4/30/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements None Specified |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.10 |
Later Fee Increase None Specified |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) Designed and manufactured to withstand 50 repeated uses over a period of time; (b) Is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) Is at least four mils thick, if made from plastic; and (d) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Additional Information |
Updated as of 5/31/2019 |
Cape Elizabeth |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 12/6/2017 |
Stores Affected Food stores |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements is designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of 10 time; ii. is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; iii. is at least 2.25 millimeters thick if made from plastic; iv. has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and v. has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Damariscotta |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 3/1/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements Designed and manufactured to withstand 125 repeated uses over a period of time; is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; is at least 4.0 mils thick if made from non-woven plastic; and has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 1/29/2019 |
Falmouth |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 4/1/2016 |
Stores Affected All retail stores and restaurants |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) Designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; 3 (b) Is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) Is at least 4 mil thick, if made from plastic; and (d) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 2/11/2016 |
Freeport |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 9/12/2016 |
Stores Affected Food stores |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) Designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; (b) Is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) Has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and (d) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Kennebunk |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 10/15/2016 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements N/A |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 6/17/2016 |
Manchester |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 6/14/2018 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements None Specified |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Fee Per Paper Bag None Specified |
Later Fee Increase None Specified |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag that is designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time, is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly, has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses, and is capable of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Additional Information |
Updated as of 9/21/2021 |
Mount Desert |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 5/8/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag specifically designed and manufactured for the repeated use of carrying food, beverage or merchandise, whether made of cloth, fiber or plastic; is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; has the capability of carrying 18 pounds or more; and, if plastic, is at least 3.0 mil thick. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 5/31/2019 |
Newcastle |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 3/1/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements Designed and manufactured to withstand 125 repeated uses over a period of time; is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; is at least 4.0 mils thick if made from non-woven plastic; and has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 1/29/2019 |
Portland |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 4/15/2015 |
Stores Affected Grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and other vendors that sell food items. Does not apply to restaurants |
Paper Bag Requirements None Stated |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements Reusable Bag means a bag that is: (a) Designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; (b) Is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) That is at least 2.25 mil thick if made from plastic; (d) Has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and (e) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information Store Signage required |
Updated as of 4/20/2015 |
Rockland |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 1/1/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase $0.10 after 1st year and $0.15 after 2nd year |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) Designed and manufactured to withstand 50 repeated uses over a period of time; (b) Is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) Is at least four mils thick, if made from plastic; and (d) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information Store signage required |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Saco |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 5/3/2017 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements a bag with consumer carrying handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is made of cloth, fiber or other machine washable fabric, but not plastic film. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
South Portland |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 3/1/2016 |
Stores Affected A full-line, self-service market selling food, a drug store, pharmacy, supermarket, grocery store, convenience store, food mart |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) is designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; (b) is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) is at least 2.25 mil thick if made from plastic; (d) has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and (e) has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information Store signage required |
Updated as of 4/7/2016 |
Southwest Harbor |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 2/22/2019 |
Stores Affected All business establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag specifically designed and manufactured for the repeated use of carrying food, beverage or merchandise, whether made of cloth, fiber or plastic, is machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; has the capability of carrying 18 pounds or more; and if plastic, is at least 4.0 mil thick. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 1/16/2019 |
Topsham |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 5/7/2017 |
Stores Affected Food stores |
Paper Bag Requirements N/A |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag $0.05 |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) is designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time; (b) is machine washable or, made from a material that can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (c) is at least 4.0 mil thick if made from plastic; (d) has a minimum lifetime of 75 uses; and (e) has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information Store signage required |
Updated as of 4/10/2018 |
Waterville |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 9/1/2019 |
Stores Affected Businesses with a retail or commercial space at or exceeding 10,000 square feet. |
Paper Bag Requirements None Specified |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Fee Per Paper Bag None Specified |
Later Fee Increase None Specified |
Reusable Bag Requirements (a) Is made from fabric, cloth, nylon, woven or non-woven polypropylene, or RPET, (b) Is at least 4 mils thick; (c) Is machine washable and can be cleaned and disinfected regularly; (d) Designed and manufactured to withstand at least 60 uses; (e) Has handles with which to carry the bag; (f) Has the capability of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements None Specified |
Additional Information |
Updated as of 10/7/2019 |
York |
Status Approved |
Enforcement Date 3/1/2016 |
Stores Affected All retail establishments |
Paper Bag Requirements Paper bags that are accepted for recycling by the Town of York's curbside recycling program |
Paper Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Fee Per Paper Bag N/A |
Later Fee Increase N/A |
Reusable Bag Requirements A bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured to withstand repeated uses over a period of time and is machine washable or is made from a material that can be cleaned or disinfected, or made of durable plastic that is at least 3 mils if made of plastic. |
Reusable Bag Printing Requirements N/A |
Additional Information N/A |
Updated as of 2/25/2016 |