HB 1886 — An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing for bag usage.

PRINTER'S NO.   2347

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1886
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY GREEN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, FREEMAN, NEILSON, RABB,
        GIRAL, PROBST, OTTEN, MAYES, BOYD AND K.HARRIS,
        SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
        PROTECTION, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania
 2      Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, providing
 3      for bag usage.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby enacts as follows:
 6      Section 1.    Part IX of Title 12 of the Pennsylvania
 7   Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
 8                                 CHAPTER 99
 9                                 BAG USAGE
10   Sec.
11   9901.   Scope of chapter.
12   9902.   Definitions.
13   9903.   Bag alternative.
14   § 9901.   Scope of chapter.
15      This chapter relates to alternatives to single-use plastic
16   bags and to the use of compliant bags.
17   § 9902.   Definitions.
 1      The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
 2   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
 3   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 4      "Compliant bag."     Any of the following:
 5          (1)   A paper bag that:
 6                (i)    Is 100% recyclable overall.
 7                (ii)    Contains a minimum of 40% postconsumer recycled
 8          material.
 9                (iii)    Can be composted.
10                (iv)    Displays the words "recyclable" or "reusable"
11          in a visible manner on the outside of the paper bag.
12          (2)   A bag that:
13                (i)    Has handles made of cloth or other washable
14          fabric, or which is otherwise durable.
15                (ii)    Is specifically designed and manufactured for
16          multiple uses.
17                (iii)    Is 100% recyclable overall.
18      "Customer."      A person purchasing goods from a retail
19   establishment.
20      "Retail establishment."      As follows:
21          (1)   A business entity that sells or otherwise
22      distributes goods directly to a customer, regardless of
23      whether the sale or distribution is carried on for profit.
24          (2)   The term includes a retail store, restaurant,
25      pharmacy, convenience store, grocery store, liquor store,
26      seasonal or temporary business or similar entity or facility.
27      "Single-use plastic bag."      As follows:
28          (1)   A bag made predominantly of plastic derived from
29      petroleum or a biologically based source, such as corn or
30      another plant source, which is provided by a retail

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 1      establishment to a customer at the point of sale or
 2      distribution.
 3             (2)   The term includes a compostable and biodegradable
 4      bag.
 5             (3)   The term does not include a reusable bag, produce
 6      bag, product bag or any of the following that is used for
 7      carry-out purpose or otherwise:
 8                   (i)    A bag provided by a retail establishment and
 9             used by a customer inside the retail establishment to do
10             any of the following:
11                          (A)   Package bulk items, such as fruit,
12                   vegetables, nuts, grains, candies or small hardware
13                   items.
14                          (B)   Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat or fish,
15                   whether packaged or not.
16                          (C)   Contain or wrap flowers, potted plants or
17                   other items if dampness may be an issue.
18                          (D)   Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery
19                   goods.
20                   (ii)    A pharmacy prescription bag.
21                   (iii)    A newspaper bag.
22                   (iv)    A door-hanger bag.
23                   (v)    A laundry or dry cleaning bag.
24                   (vi)    A bag sold in a package containing multiple
25             bags intended for use as a food storage bag, garbage bag,
26             yard waste bag or pet waste bag.
27   § 9903.    Bag alternative.
28      A retail establishment that has banned the use or provision
29   of single-use plastic bags shall provide compliant bags to
30   customers at the point of sale or distribution, free of charge.

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1     Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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