Observation Form

This form is for reporting any violation of the Washington state single-use plastic bag ban, RCW 70A.530.

Thank you for taking the time to notify Ecology. We will follow up by contacting the observed business and working with the management to comply with the law. Repeated non-compliance may result in up to a $250 per day fine.

The following plastic and paper bag violations can be reported:

• Business using single-use plastic bags.
• Reusable plastic bags not labeled with and/or meeting proper specifications (2.25 mil thickness, 40% recycled content, and labeled "reusable").
• Paper bags not labeled with and/or meeting proper specifications (40% recycled content).
• Businesses not charging a minimum of 8 cents for paper carryout bags.
• Businesses not charging a minimum of 12 cents for reusable plastic film bags that are 2.25 mil thickness. (The plastic bag fee increased from 8 cents to 12 cents starting January 1, 2026.)
• Businesses not charging a minimum of 16 cents for very thick reusable plastic film bags that are 4 mil thickness or greater. (A 4-cent penalty on plastic bags that are 4-mil or thicker is effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. The 4-cent penalty must be deposited into the Washington State waste reduction, recycling and litter control account under RCW 70A.200.140)
• Business charging food benefits customers (EBT, SNAP, WIC, TANF, FAP).

Businesses may charge more than the required fees as a taxable retail sale to help offset costs to purchase carryout bags.

The bag ban law does not apply on Tribal Lands. Please do not submit complaints about businesses located on Tribal Lands.

Please submit violations for specific business locations. Do not report parent companies.

The contents of this form, once submitted, may be subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56).

For more information, visit our webpage at Ecology.wa.gov/BagBan or view the law language of the law RCW 70A.530. For further questions and assistance, contact bagban@ecy.wa.gov