Kotek signs law banning plastic bags in Oregon

Jun 09, 2025

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - On Thursday, Governor Tina Kotek signed a new law banning all plastic bags at checkouts in restaurants, grocery stores, and retail shops starting January 7 of 2027.

While Oregon already banned thinner plastic bags in 2020, the new law goes further by eliminating thicker plastic bags.

The move puts Oregon alongside 11 other states with statewide plastic bag bans, including California and Washington.

The original bill also included limits on single-use plastic toiletries and utensils, but those parts were cut before the bill passed.

Lawmakers made their decision based on evidence showing plastic grocery bags are some of the biggest culprits in polluting the oceans.