Hawaii Bag Ban, Fee & EPR Rules

Bag Ban Status

No statewide ban (active county-level rules (no state law)). No state law; all four counties have own ordinances. De facto statewide ban via county action.

Plastic Bag Restrictions

Plastic carryout bags: active county-level rules (no state law).

Paper Bag Requirements

No statewide paper bag requirement.

Recycled Content (PCR)

No statewide recycled-content mandate for carryout bags.

Fees & Taxation

No statewide bag fee. Local fees also apply in some cities - see Local Ordinances below.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR for Packaging — study/needs-assessment phase. Statute: HB 750 (2025) needs assessment.

Local Ordinances

Honolulu County (Oahu): $0.15 fee on paper bags + 40% post-consumer recycled content + 'Reusable' and 'Recyclable' labeling required on paper bags. Source: https://www.honolulu.gov/des/refuse/plasticbagban.html. | Maui County: Plastic carryout bag ban only; paper bags are not regulated. Source: https://www.mauicounty.gov/2245/Plastic-Bag-Reduction. | Hawaii County (Big Island): Plastic carryout bag ban only; paper bags are not regulated. Source: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/environmental-management/solid-waste/plastic-bag-reduction-ordinance. | Kauai County: Plastic carryout bag ban + 40% post-consumer recycled content required on paper bags. Source: https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Public-Works/Solid-Waste.

Key Dates

First reporting deadline: 2027-12-31 (results due).

Official Sources

• Honolulu Revised Ordinances (Municode Library — bag-ban codification)
• Hawaii County codes (Municode Library — county-level plastic checkout-bag ordinances)
• Hawaii Department of Health — Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch