- Paper is taking over the checkout counter. Colorado has limited covered stores to recycled paper bags since 2024, California joined in 2026, and Oregon will follow on January 1, 2027.
- The bar for paper is rising. Each state sets its own recycled fiber floor, from 40% in Oregon and Washington to 100% recycled material in Colorado. California will lift its floor to 50% post-consumer fiber, with no exceptions, on January 1, 2028.
- One bag does not fit every state. New Jersey bans paper bags at large grocery stores, Washington still allows thicker plastic bags at a higher charge, and restaurants are treated differently from state to state.
- Buyers serving several states can prepare by mapping the rule for each location, keeping fiber records for each paper bag, and planning orders around the 2027 and 2028 dates.
- REGENPLAST supplies paper bags made with FSC Recycled-certified paper and works with buyers to match each order to the state rules where the bags will be used.
The first bag laws had a common pattern. They banned thin plastic bags and allowed a thicker plastic bag as a "reusable" option. That option is now closing in several states. Colorado's law never counted standard plastic film bags as reusable. Since January 1, 2024, covered Colorado stores have offered recycled paper bags only. California followed on January 1, 2026. Under SB 1053, covered stores may no longer sell any plastic film bag at checkout. Oregon will follow on January 1, 2027.
The result is a simpler checkout in these states. A shopper who forgets a bag will get paper. For grocery chains, pharmacies, and convenience stores in these markets, the paper bag is no longer one choice among several. It is the default.
Washington shows a softer version of the same trend. It still allows thicker plastic film bags. But since January 1, 2026, those bags carry a minimum charge of 12 cents, while large paper bags stay at 8 cents. The price gap gives shoppers a clear reason to pick paper.
As paper becomes the default, states are asking more of the paper itself. Each state that sets a standard builds it around recycled content. But the numbers, and the fibers that count, differ.
Oregon and Washington set the floor at 40%. Post-consumer fiber is fiber recovered from paper that people have already used, such as old boxes and newspapers. Oregon counts this fiber, fiber from plants that are not trees, or a mix of both. Washington counts post-consumer content, wheat straw, or a mix of the two. Colorado goes further. Its law defines a recycled paper carryout bag as one made entirely from recycled material, or entirely from other post-consumer content.
California is raising its bar in steps. Today, most recycled paper bags there need a post-consumer share of 40% or more. Small bags in the eight-pound size or smaller, a common size rating for paper sacks, may go as low as 20%. From January 1, 2028, that small-bag exception ends, and every recycled paper bag must reach 50%. California also requires each bag to show the maker's name, the country where it was made, and its post-consumer content. Washington also wants the recycled share printed where anyone can read it on the bag, and this applies to small paper bags too.
The direction is clear. A paper bag sold as "recycled" now needs a number behind it. In more places, that number has to appear on the bag.
The trend toward paper is strong, but the details do not line up. New Jersey takes a different path. Since May 4, 2022, it has banned plastic carryout bags at all stores and food businesses. It also bars grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more from giving out paper carryout bags. Those stores may offer only reusable bags. Smaller grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, other retailers, and restaurants may still use paper.
Restaurants are another point of difference. Oregon lets restaurants hand out recycled paper bags without a charge, though those bags must still meet the state's 40% fiber standard. Colorado exempts restaurants that serve individual portions for immediate eating on or off site, as long as they are not grocery or convenience stores. California's SB 1053 covers grocers, pharmacy retailers, convenience stores, and liquor stores, and restaurants are not on that list. Washington's ban covers restaurants and takeout.
Charges vary as well. The minimum paper bag charge is 10 cents in California and Colorado and 5 cents at Oregon stores. In Washington, large paper bags cost at least 8 cents, while stores may choose whether to charge for smaller ones. Some local governments may also impose higher fees. For a buyer that supplies stores in several states, the paper bag itself may be similar, but the rules around it are not.
1. Map the rule for each location
Start with a list of every store or restaurant you supply. Note the state, the type of business, and, for New Jersey, the store size. These three facts decide which bags are allowed and what the customer pays. Check local rules too, since some cities and counties set higher fees.
2. Ask for fiber records for each paper bag
A "recycled" claim on a spec sheet is not enough. For each paper bag SKU, ask your supplier for the post-consumer fiber share and the papers that back it up. For California and Washington, also confirm that the percentage is printed on the bag.
3. Plan orders around the next two dates
Oregon's paper-only rule starts on January 1, 2027. From that date, stores and restaurants may no longer provide reusable plastic or fabric checkout bags, so they should stop handing them out and plan stock to run out before then. California's 50% post-consumer floor starts on January 1, 2028. Paper bags ordered for California in 2027 should be checked against the new floor so stock does not fall short when the date arrives.
4. Build one spec for the strictest market you serve
Where possible, one paper bag can cover several states. A bag made from 100% recycled fiber, of which at least 50% is post-consumer, with that share printed on the bag, would line up with the standards in California from 2028, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. Confirm each state's current rules before you lock in the spec.
Every trend above points to the same need: a paper bag with recycled fiber that is clear, documented, and matched to each state's rules. REGENPLAST supplies paper bags made with FSC Recycled-certified paper. The FSC Recycled label confirms that the paper's forest-based fiber comes from recycled sources. Because state rules set their own post-consumer shares, REGENPLAST works with each buyer to confirm the fiber content of each bag against the states where it will be used.
Checkout bags in the U.S. are moving toward paper. Colorado, California, and Oregon have now limited, or will soon limit, covered checkouts to recycled paper. Washington still allows thicker plastic film bags but charges more for them than for paper. At the same time, the standard for paper is rising, from 40% post-consumer fiber in several states to 50% in California in 2028 and 100% recycled material in Colorado. The rules still differ in important ways, from New Jersey's limits on paper at large grocery stores to how each state treats restaurants. For buyers serving several states, clear fiber records and a spec built for the strictest market are becoming the practical baseline. REGENPLAST will continue to track state checkout bag rules as they develop.
Which states allow only paper bags at checkout?Colorado has limited covered stores to recycled paper bags since January 1, 2024. Since January 1, 2026, the only bag covered California stores may hand out at checkout is a recycled paper bag. From January 1, 2027, Oregon will limit store and restaurant checkouts to recycled paper bags.
What recycled content does a paper checkout bag need?It depends on the state. Oregon and Washington set a 40% floor. Oregon counts post-consumer fiber and non-tree plant fiber, while Washington counts post-consumer content and wheat straw. Colorado requires a bag made entirely from recycled material, or entirely from other post-consumer content. California sets its floor at 40% today and raises it to 50% on January 1, 2028.
Do paper bags have to show their recycled content?In California and Washington, yes. California requires the maker's name, the country of manufacture, and the post-consumer content on the bag. Washington wants the recycled share printed where anyone can read it on the bag.
Are paper bags allowed everywhere in New Jersey?No. Grocery stores of 2,500 square feet or more may not provide or sell paper carryout bags and may offer only reusable bags. Smaller grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, other retailers, and restaurants may still provide paper bags.
Do these rules apply to restaurants?It varies by state. Oregon's rule covers restaurants, but they may give paper bags for free. Colorado exempts restaurants that serve individual portions for immediate eating, unless they are grocery or convenience stores. California's SB 1053 does not list restaurants among the covered store types. Washington's ban covers restaurants and takeout.
[References]
CalRecycle, "SB 1053 (Blakespear, 2024): Changes to California's Reusable Grocery Bag Program" → Read the Source
Digital Democracy (CalMatters), "SB 1053: Solid waste: reusable grocery bags: standards: plastic film" (Chapter 453, Statutes of 2024) → Read the Source
Oregon Legislature, "Oregon Laws 2025, Chapter 276 (SB 551)" → Read the Source
Oregon Legislative Assembly, "Enrolled Senate Bill 551 (SB 551-B)" → Read the Source
Colorado General Assembly, "House Bill 21-1162: Concerning the Management of Plastic Products" (signed act) → Read the Source
Colorado Department of Revenue, "Carryout Bag Fee" → Read the Source
Washington State Department of Ecology, "Plastic bag ban" → Read the Source
Washington State Department of Ecology, "Bring your own bag to avoid a fee increase on store-bought bags" (November 18, 2025) → Read the Source
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, "Get Past Plastic" → Read the Source
Packaging Dive, "California governor signs SB 1053, updating plastic carryout bag ban" (September 23, 2024) → Read the Source
Packaging Insights, "California ends plastic checkout bags and raises paper standards" (December 9, 2025) → Read the Source