Effective immediately until May 22, 2020 (or earlier), retail establishments are exempt from Everett’s Reusable Bag Ordinance, which went into effect Sept. 30, 2019.
Citing undue hardship on retail establishments and potential health hazards for the retail employees, the Civil Emergency Order (PDF) allows Everett retail establishments to provide customers single-use plastic carryout bags and does not require retailers to charge customers for carryout bags.
Customers may still bring their own bags while shopping in most retail establishments, but may be asked by retailers to use self-checkout or bag their own purchases.
The Order may be renewed again after 30 days, subject to ratification by the City Council.
Reusable Bag Ordinance
Everett’s Reusable Bag Ordinance (PDF), effective Sept. 30, 2019, prohibits retail establishments from providing consumers thin, single-use plastic carryout bags (less than 2.25 mil in thickness) and requires that retailers charge consumers a minimum of 5 cents for each carryout bag they are provided. The ordinance was approved by the Everett City Council on Dec. 5, 2018, and is intended to reduce waste and protect the environment.
