Single-Use Plastic Bags Won’t Be Able to Be Used Effective July 1 in Maine

Remember how you used to use the reusable grocery bags before COVID-19? You better go grab them from the cellar, garage or wherever you stored them, because you are going to need them effective July 1 in Maine.

The law banning single use plastic bags was signed on Earth Day in 2020, and then COVID-19 came. At the onset of the pandemic, news made the rounds that the coronavirus could be transmitted via reusable cloth bags, so Maine officials kicked the ban of single-use plastic bags down the road until January 15, 2021.

Get our free mobile app

The pandemic didn't go away. So, the January15 deadline came and went, and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection set a new date of July 1, 2021.

At that point, stores won't be able to use the single-use plastic bags. If they have paper bags, they'll have to charge you 5 cents per bag.

Maine's Walmart stores already have signs up warning/reminding customers that they'll need to bring in their reusable bags starting July 1.

Don't have any? Most major chains sell them, with the proceed of Hannaford Care bags going to local non-profits.

Just remember to wipe out your reusable bags and if you're using the cloth bags, give them a run through the washing machine every so often.