Oregon Senate Approves Sweeping Ban on Single-Use Shopping Bags, Utensils, and Hotel Toiletries

The Oregon State Senate passed SB511 yesterday to ban single-use checkout bags statewide. If the bill passes the House of Representatives, Oregonians will only be able to use recycled paper bags, and they will cost at least five cents per bag.

SB511: Oregon Single-Use Checkout Ban Passes Senate

Currently, stores are banned from issuing single-use plastic checkout bags, but reusable plastic and fabric bags are allowed if customers pay at least five cents per bag.

The bipartisan bill, SB511, which received support from three Republican senators who voted in favor of the legislation, was passed in the Senate yesterday. SB511 is set to expand the ban on all single-use reusable plastic bags and has now moved to the Oregon State House of Representatives.

Certain local governments, such as Portland, one of the first cities to ban single-use plastic bags in 2011, may enact regulations restricting plastic bag use if the rules were in effect before Jan. 1, 2020.

However, SB 511 prevents cities from enforcing different plastic bag rules unless the bag fee exceeds five cents.

The bill also restricts the sale of plastic utensils and condiment packets. This means that restaurants, convenience stores, and other food and beverage providers can’t automatically give out single-use plastic utensils or condiment packets.

The bill requires that customers ask for the utensils or condiments to get them.

The bill also covers restrictions on hospitality businesses. Lodging establishments like hotels, motels, resorts, and others can’t automatically make small plastic containers of shampoo, lotion, or other personal care products available unless guests specifically request them.

Retailers and restaurants that violate the ban will be fined up to $25 per day, with a maximum penalty of $300 per year. If signed into law, SB511 restrictions on plastic utensils and condiment rules will take effect on July 1, 2026, and the checkout bags and hotel plastic container restrictions will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.