On July 1, a statewide ban on single use plastic bags will take effect in Maine. Although the ban was passed by the state legislature in 2019 originally was set to begin in April 2020, implementation was delayed due to the pandemic.
As of next week, retail establishments are prohibited from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. Some retailers are allowed to provide plastic carryout bags if they collect a five-cent per bag fee. Stores are allowed to give out plastic bags for in-store collection of items like fruits and vegetables but then must also serve as a public plastic bag recycling drop-off location.
More information on Maine’s plastic bag ban is available here.
