On Tuesday night, Aug. 20, the Kent City Council unanimously passed a plastic bag ordinance, banning single-use plastic bags.
The ordinance will go into effect March 1, 2020.
The city says that when retailers provide a paper bag or a reusable plastic bag to customers, they will charge an 8-cent fee which they will keep to help offset their costs for providing the bags.
Customers who use vouchers or electronic benefits cards under food assistance programs will be exempt from this charge.
Beginning March 1, 2020, businesses who violate the ordinance are subject to a $250 fine.
“The City is working on an outreach and education plan for residents and businesses. Stay tuned for details!”
The City is the 30th local government in the State of Washington to adopt such a ban.
