Evanston Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect August 1

EVANSTON, IL — With just over three weeks to go before Evanston implements new regulations on shopping bags, city officials laid out the rules for businesses and consumers.

Evanston's ban on businesses distributing most single-use plastic bags takes effect Aug. 1.

Exceptions include pre-checkout produce bags made of compostable plastic, newspaper bags and bags for prescription drugs provided by pharmacists, according to the ordinance adopted May 22 by the Evanston City Council.

Any single-use paper bags must be made of at least 40 percent recycled material, and the City Council also approved a new tax on them.

All non-restaurants chain retailers with more than 10,000 square feet of space must charge customers 10 center per single-use bag. Each business must then give half of the tax to the city prior to the 20th of each month.

Bags used to carry items purchased using food stamps or other government assistance programs are exempt from the tax.

Any business that fails to collect and remit the recyclable paper bag tax to the city is liable for a fine of at least $100 per day, per offense.

"In addition, the City Manager or their designee may revoke or suspend a retail establishment's business license if it is determined the retail establishment has failed to comply with the duties imposed under the above sections after notice," according to the ordinance 1-O-23, which was unanimously approved by councilmembers.

Shoppers will still be able bring whatever kind of bags they want into stores.