Starting July 1st, 2020, State law prohibits stores and food service establishments from providing the following:
- Single-use plastic carryout bags* at the point of sale
- Paper bags will still be available at checkouts around Vermont. There will be a 10 cent fee on paper bags, to encourage residents to bring their own bag. Paper bags smaller than 10 inches and those used for prescription medications and greeting cards will not have a fee associated with them. Other bags that will still be available for free include dry cleaning, garmet and laundry bags, bags provided for flower bouquets, and bags used inside stores to wrap frozen foods, meat, fish or to package loose items including produce, bulk-foods, bakery goods, candy and small hardware items.
- Styrofoam food and beverage containers
- This ban includes the sale and distribution of foam cups, styrofoam take-out and to-go containers, plates, trays, and cartons for eggs. This ban does not apply to meat and fish packaged with styrofoam or food packaged out-of-state or sold out-of-state.
- Plastic straws
- Will not be available except to those who specifically request one. Hospitals, nursing homes, independent and assisted living and residential care facilities can provide plastic straws upon request.
- Plastic stirrers
For more information on using up exisiting inventory after July 1st, alternatives to the above items and other frequently asked questions, view a summary and FAQ of the law (PDF) from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.