America’s first state is about to begin enforcing a strict ban on single-use plastic bags, a development that potentially creates opportunity for promotional products distributors.

Starting July 1, all retailers in Delaware – with the exception of restaurants – will be prohibited from providing or selling plastic film bags of any size at checkout.

Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is encouraging consumers to invest in reusable cloth or fabric bags to carry their goods when they go shopping.

That creates an advertising opportunity for any organization that operates in Delaware, as they can give away or sell reusable totes with their branding on it to consumers who will be in greater need of the bags. Promo products distributors are in prime position to help such businesses capitalize on the opportunity.

Delaware’s plastic bag prohibitions come after the state’s General Assembly strengthened regulations against the disposables in 2021. A 2019 ban on plastic bags in Delaware allowed retailers to exploit a loophole by continuing to provide plastic bags as long as they were 2.25 millimeters thick and designed to be used at least 125 times. The 2021 change closes the loophole.

“By realigning the legislation to further limit the use of film carryout bags, we are reducing waste that all too often ends up along our roadways, in our waterways and along our shorelines – all detrimental to our environment, including harmful effects on our wildlife and marine creatures,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.

Before the initial ban in 2019, each Delawarean used approximately 434 plastic bags per year, many of which ended up in landfills, Garvin asserted. Said DNREC: “The goal of the enhanced bag ban is to reduce roadside, waterway and seaside litter; to save valuable landfill space; to increase recycling efforts; and to help recycling facilities avoid delays when plastic bags get stuck in their machinery.”

A growing number of cities, municipalities and states in the U.S. have enacted prohibitions on single-use plastic bags in recent years. Delaware’s neighbor to the north, New Jersey, began enforcing a stringent statewide plastic bag-ban in May, for example.

Just as in Delaware and New Jersey, proponents of the prohibitions are motivated by environmental concerns, saying the bans help reduce litter and pollution and protect natural habitat and wildlife. Critics have argued the bans have little tangible impact on pollution and come at a cost burden to consumers and businesses.

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