ROH §34-14.2
Ban on plastic and non-recyclable paper bags
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗Stores cannot give customers plastic checkout bags or non-recyclable paper bags for carrying groceries or other items. They can give reusable bags, compostable plastic bags, or recyclable paper bags, but must charge at least 15 cents per bag. Non-recyclable paper bags are still allowed for prepared food, drinks, or bakery items.
businesses
The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Ban on plastic checkout bags and non-recyclable paper bags (effective 7-1-2018)
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), businesses shall be prohibited from providing plastic checkout bags and nonrecyclable paper bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise.
(b) Businesses may provide, at the point of sale, reusable bags, compostable plastic bags, or recyclable paper bags to customers for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise; provided that they charge the customer a minimum of 15 cents per bag.
(c) Nothing in this article shall be interpreted as prohibiting businesses from providing nonrecyclable paper bags, with or without charge, to protect or transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods.
(d) After January 1, 2020, compostable plastic bags shall no longer be provided at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.