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Starting January 1, 2027, Oregon businesses will face tighter rules on the checkout bags they provide. Retailers and restaurants will be barred from providing reusable plastic or fabric checkout bags, and the statute also bars single-use checkout bags. Recycled-paper bags remain an option under different rules for retailers and restaurants. Shoppers may bring a reusable bag they already own; the cited rules concern bags supplied by businesses, not a requirement to buy a new one.
What changes to Oregon’s bag law in 2027?
The change comes from 2025 Senate Bill 551. Oregon DEQ says that, beginning January 1, 2027, retail establishments and restaurants may not provide reusable plastic or fabric checkout bags to customers. The statute’s operative text also sets rules for single-use and recycled-paper checkout bags. The amendments take effect on that date. Oregon DEQ’s August 2025 report summarizes SB 551; the Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 459A, contains the operative provisions.
Rules for retailers
Retailers may not provide single-use checkout bags. They may provide recycled-paper checkout bags only if they charge at least five cents per bag. The statute provides exceptions to that charge for customers using qualifying WIC vouchers or an electronic benefits transfer card.
Rules for restaurants
Restaurants may not provide single-use checkout bags. They may provide recycled-paper checkout bags at no charge.
#1 Best Overall
- Sturdy Rip-stop Fabric: the WISELIFE reusable grocery bag is made of heavy-duty non-woven fabric reinforced with finished stitches; these large grocery shopping bags are strong and can accommodate odd-shaped items and hold up to 50 lbs
- Super Easy To Clean: the shopping totebags' special fabric is easy to clean; simply use a wet cloth to wipe off the dirt or rinse off under cold water and allow the bag to air dry
- Two Ways of Carrying: the grocery bag has a long and wide handle for easy carrying by hand or over the shoulder; the handle is 9.5 inch long to fit any body type; sturdy fabric ensures that the bag will not break
- Foldable and Portable : each grocery bag measures 16.1” x 13” x 10.2” (L x H x W); folds flat for easy storage in your kitchen, car, handbag, backpack, and luggage; great not only for veggies and fruit, but also great for food shopping, or clothes
- Reusable: one reusable shopping bag is equivalent to 1000+ times of using plastic disposal bags; as an alternative to single-use plastic bags, reusable shopping bags make the future cleaner and more livable
Can I bring my own reusable bag?
Yes. The provisions described here regulate bags provided by businesses. They do not establish a ban on customers bringing their own bags, so shoppers can plan to carry a reusable bag they already have rather than buying one specifically for the 2027 change.
What should I look for in a reusable bag?
If you want a bag for shopping, consider practical features rather than assuming you need a particular product:
Rank #2
- STURDY & DURABLE: There are reinforced handles sewn to the bottom of the tote bag for extra durability, and there is a thick removable plastic bottom insert for extra strength while grocery shopping.
- LARGE CAPACITY: 15" H x 13" L x 10" W. After extensive research, we believe this size is the most practical size. You can carry the grocery bags over your shoulder and easily carry heavy loads.
- ECO-FRIENDLY: Made of recycled polypropylene, use reusable bags to protect the environment.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Machine Washable, Hand Washing recommended, easy to fold after wash the tote bags, Hang dry only.
- VERSATILITY: These heavy duty reusable shopping bags are great for GROCERY SHOPPING, picnics, laundry, the beach, travel, and more.
- Washability: Check whether the bag can be cleaned in a way that suits how you expect to use it.
- Capacity and handles: Consider whether it holds the amount you usually carry and feels comfortable when loaded.
- Storage: A bag that folds compactly may be easier to keep in a car, backpack or purse.
These are selection questions, not product-test results. An existing tote may be adequate; the law does not require shoppers to purchase a new reusable bag.
What Oregon’s bag-use estimates show—and what they don’t
Oregon DEQ’s August 2025 report estimated annual statewide use from retailer information for 2021–2023. It estimated an average of 151,687,766 recycled-paper checkout bags and 65,937,206 reusable-plastic checkout bags per year. The corresponding per-capita calculations were 36 paper bags and 16 reusable-plastic bags annually. These are statewide estimates divided by the state population, not observed usage by an average bag-using shopper.
Rank #3
- Stands Up & Stays Open: Making shopping so much easier! With a rigid box structure, our reusable bags are super easy to load & unload compared to ordinary floppy bags – Long handles let you carry tall items or sling a tote bag over your shoulder
- Extra Large so You can Carry More: A 3 pack of our large tote bags holds the same as 10 single-use grocery bags! Great for family sized trips to the supermarket, for carrying bulky items, and for organizing produce, meats, and grocery items
- Sturdy & Made to Last: Our super strong grocery tote bag maintains its shape like a box even when fully loaded with groceries or whatever you need to carry – Each sturdy utility tote is crafted from top quality materials for reliable use over and over
- Won't Fall Over in the Trunk: Best shopping bags for groceries! Design is spill proof so items stay put while driving – No more groceries rolling around in the trunk – Bananas, bread, produce and other soft items won't be damaged on your way home
- Easy to Clean: Simply use a damp cloth or sanitizer wipe to clean, then allow to air-dry – Our reusable grocery bags are foldable like a notebook when not in use – conveniently stores under your car seat, trunk, or a kitchen drawer
DEQ’s figures are not a direct census of customers. The department relied on a limited Northwest Grocery Retail Association member survey, did not collect the original survey data or receive detailed information about the survey questions and process, and treated store purchases as a proxy for bags used. The statewide estimates exclude grocery businesses with fewer than 20 employees. DEQ could not estimate fabric-bag impacts because available data were limited and inconsistent. The report’s figures therefore describe estimated historical use; they do not by themselves establish the law’s environmental effects.
Historical grocery-bag fees
For 2021–2023, DEQ reported average grocery-establishment fees of six cents per recycled-paper bag and nine cents per reusable-plastic bag. Those are historical averages from before the 2027 change, not a guarantee of what a particular store will charge or provide after the new rules take effect.
Rank #4
- Extra Large Capacity : Each grocery bag measures 13.4” L x 10.2” W x 15” H, The large grocery shopping bags are strong and durable and can hold up to 50 lbs of items. The reusable shopping bags are fashion so excellent for daily supplies when you need for a trip or birthday party gift, Mother's Day, holiday, grocery store, supermarket, outdoor picnic etc.
- Assorted Colors : There are four pieces of each color. There are six colors in total: black, gray, brown, red, purple and green. You can hold different thing individually according to their color. A variety of colors meets your daily needs.
- Durable Fabfic :Our reusable shopping bags are made of thickened nonwoven fabric, which is durable to withstand repeated and long-time use. With finely covered edge, these large tote bags are not easy to damage and the “X” stitches on the joint part make the long handles strong enough to hold many items without broken.
- Foldable and Washable :The shopping tote bags' special fabric is easy to clean. Simply use a wet cloth to wipe off the dirt or rinse off under cold water, and let bag air dry. The shopping bag is collapsible for easy storage if not in use. Simply fold and they are space-saving when not in use or to transport. Keep in car, handbag, backpack, and luggage.
- Reusable :Our products are made of high-quality non-woven fabrics,breathable and reusable.As an alternative to single-use plastic bags, reusable shopping bags make the future cleaner and more livable.
Local rules may also matter
The statute allows local governments to adopt matching restrictions and, in specified circumstances, higher fees. Because local rules can affect the checkout experience, check with your city or county if you need to know whether additional requirements apply where you shop.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Rigid Box Shape: Sits upright in your shopping cart and car trunk without collapsing, so items stay sorted from store to kitchen; Reinforced bottom panel keeps the grocery tote bag steady under a full load
- Extra Long Handles: 12" Reinforced handles provide a comfortable grip for carrying groceries by hand or over the shoulder; Built to support loaded grocery runs without stretching or tearing through hundreds of uses
- Ready to Load: Each of these shopping bags for groceries measures 10" × 11" × 13"; Doubles as a tote bag grocery for laundry, books, or household supplies
- Water Resistant & Easy to Clean: Water-resistant surface resists spills and stains, helping keep grocery totes clean for every shopping trip; Simply wipe with a damp cloth for easy cleaning after wet produce or everyday use
- Folds Flat Easily: Folds in seconds and tucks into a kitchen drawer, trunk, or closet so a reusable grocery bag is always within reach; Reusable design helps replace disposable shopping bags
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