Minnesota Bag Ban, Fee & EPR Rules

Bag Ban Status

No statewide ban; preempted (Minn. Stat. §471.9998 (2017) — nullified Minneapolis's 2016 bag-ban ordinance before it took effect. Local fees on carryout bags are permitted but bans are not).

Plastic Bag Restrictions

Local plastic bag regulation preempted (Minn. Stat. §471.9998 (2017) — nullified Minneapolis's 2016 bag-ban ordinance before it took effect. Local fees on carryout bags are permitted but bans are not).

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 — enacted, in implementation. Statute: Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act, codified at Minn. Stat. §§ 115A.144–115A.1463 (2024 Laws ch. 116, art. 5). PRO: Circular Action Alliance (CAA). De minimis: 1+ ton MN covered material triggers obligation. Penalties: Up to $25,000/violation.

Local Ordinances

Minneapolis — $0.05 paper bag pass-through fee (replaced city's 2016 bag-ban ordinance after Minn. Stat. §471.9998 nullified it). Duluth — $0.05 carryout bag fee (fee-based workaround — bans preempted). Saint Paul — Local carryout bag fee (fee-based workaround — bans preempted). St. Louis Park — Local carryout bag fee (fee-based workaround — bans preempted).

Key Dates

Producer registration deadline: 2025-07-01. First reporting deadline: 2026-12-31 (needs assessment). Full implementation: 2032 (90% reimbursement).

Official Sources

• MPCA Packaging EPR
• CAA Minnesota
• Minn. Stat. §471.9998 (preemption)
• Minn. Stat. §115A.144
• Minn. Stat. §115A.1451
• Minnesota HF 3345 (2024)
• Minneapolis bag fee
• Minneapolis Code Ch. 110 (Municode)
• Minnesota Session Law Ch. 116 (2024)
• Minn. Stat. §115A.151
• Minneapolis Code Ch. 203 (Municode)