Vermont Bag Ban, Fee & EPR Rules

Verified: July 29, 2026

Bag Ban Status

Statewide bag ban: active statewide ban. Covered-retailer scope is broad under state law (Act 69 of 2019 / 10 V.S.A. §6692): applies to any 'store' (defined as any retail establishment located in Vermont) and any food-service establishment. Apparel, jewelry, and general retail (e.g. Claire's, Gap) are covered statewide, in addition to grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and restaurants. No size or chain-count exemption for the retailer itself.

Plastic Bag Restrictions

Single-use plastic carryout bags banned statewide since Jul 1, 2020. Compostable and biodegradable plastic bags (including ASTM D6400-certified) are NOT exempt — Act 69 / 10 V.S.A. §6692 bans all plastic carryout bags at the point of sale.

Paper Bag Requirements

$0.10 minimum fee per recyclable paper bag.

Recycled Content (PCR)

Paper carryout bags must be recyclable — 10 V.S.A. §6691(8) defines a 'recyclable paper carryout bag' as a bag made of paper that is recyclable. No post-consumer recycled-content percentage is mandated by statute.

Fees & Taxation

$0.10 paper bag fee retained by retailer.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Beverage container deposit in place; a separate beverage-container EPR law (H.915) takes effect July 1, 2026. Packaging EPR: study stage only — the state's packaging-EPR needs assessment is complete, but no packaging EPR bill advanced in the 2026 session.