Promotional products distributors that sell into Connecticut might be able to capitalize on new plastic bag prohibitions that are set to go into effect on August 1.

Legislators in the Nutmeg State recently passed a law that makes it mandatory for retailers to charge patrons a 10-cent fee for each single-use plastic bag. Analysts say that grocers and other stores could extend the fee to paper bags, too.

Statewide plastic bag ban goes into effect August 1 https://t.co/VeOA1OFAYw pic.twitter.com/eo5rAmug1m

— NBC Connecticut (@NBCConnecticut) July 3, 2019

The upshot of it all is that Connecticut consumers will increasingly be looking for reusable bags to avoid having to pay the charges. “I recycle the plastic that I get, but I will get my own bags,” Cindy Ehrlich, a Vernon, CT resident, told the local NBC affiliate.

Many others are likely to take Ehrlich’s approach. In that, there’s opportunity for any business or organization that’s active in the Connecticut market to help promote themselves and help potential clients/customers through the sale or free distribution of reusable branded tote bags. That’s something with which promo distributors can certainly help – and generate sales in the process.

Legislators and proponents of single-use plastic bag restrictions hope the regulations will encourage consumers to switch to reusable bags for their shopping. “Our goal is to shift consumer behavior,” Wayne Pesce, president of the Connecticut Food Association, told the NBC affiliate.

A growing number of municipalities, cities and states, as well as countries, are considering or actively trying to ban single-use plastic bags.

Single-use plastic bags officially banned for all New Zealand stores, supermarkets and restaurants.
Kudos to New Zealand! 🇳🇿
https://t.co/UIz9zuorvm pic.twitter.com/xiA37979h5

— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) July 2, 2019

Last month, Maine and Vermont adopted laws that place prohibitions on single-use plastic bags. Ban proponents say the bags present a threat to wildlife and cause pollution. The world produces more than 300 million tons of plastic each year, according to Statista, and scientists estimate that up to 91% of plastic is never recycled.

More than 90 bills have been introduced in the U.S. this year regarding plastic bags, mostly to ban or place a fee on them, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Still, there is a growing counter movement underway. Some states have enacted – or sought to enact – bans on single-use plastic bag bans. Pennsylvania is among them.