DE bag ban expansion starts July 1

DELAWARE –

Starting July 1st, Delaware is expanding it’s plastic bag ban law. The expansion means that means you will no longer be able use plastic film carryout bags, which are essentially a thicker plastic bag. The new law also expands the ban to all retail stores in the first state.

The original law went into effect last year, and banned thin, single-use plastic bags at checkout. DNREC officials tell 47abc that while the original ban has been effective, they saw a need for a bigger change.

“We really are checking all those boxes,” says DNREC Recycling Program Manager Adam Schlacter. “We’re not going to see the reusable bags that are now allowed under the law winding up as litter on the side of the road, or being left on the beach and winding up in our recycling containers because it’s a true reusable bag.”

To help Delawareans get ready for the change, DNREC is holding events across the State to give out free reusable bags to shoppers. The next one is Thursday at the Gateway Food Lion on Forrest Avenue in Dover. They are also planning one soon in Sussex County. For more information click here.