Elgin, Ill. — The familiar question of ‘paper or plastic’ may soon be a relic for shoppers at major retailers in the northwest suburb of Elgin. However, the city has opted for a phased approach, giving retailers and residents more than two years to adjust to the change.

Extended Timeline for Retailers

The Elgin City Council voted to advance a proposed ordinance that would ban single-use plastic bags at major retailers. If passed, the measure would not take effect until June 2027, according to a city news release. This timeline, officials said, allows time for retailers to prepare and for the public to become informed about the new policy.

Elgin Mayor David Kaptain emphasized the city’s proactive approach in the release. ‘We’ve taken the lead before, and we’re doing it again,’ Kaptain said. ‘This change starts with consumers in our community, and it’s a practical step toward reducing waste and protecting our environment for the future.’

The proposed ordinance would prohibit qualifying retailers from offering single-use plastic bags at checkout. In their place, retailers could provide recycled paper bags for a fee of 10 cents per bag. The revenue from these fees would be retained by the retailers to offset costs.

Exemptions and Alternatives

Under the proposed rule, restaurants, gas station convenience stores, and small retail businesses — defined as those with 12 or fewer Illinois locations and 250 or fewer full-time employees — would be exempt from the ban. This distinction aims to ease the transition for smaller businesses and those with limited resources.

Reusable bags may also be sold by retailers, but residents enrolled in assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC would be able to request recycled paper bags at no charge. This provision ensures that low-income individuals are not disproportionately affected by the policy.

The city has modeled the ordinance after the state’s proposed ‘Single-Use Bag Reduction Act,’ which is currently under consideration in the Illinois General Assembly. The local measure also aligns with Elgin’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, which seeks to reduce single-use plastics, decrease landfill waste, and protect local waterways.

Estimated Costs and Public Engagement

The city estimates that implementing the new policy would cost about $18,000 in the first year, covering necessary changes and adjustments. Officials encourage residents to visit the city’s website at Engage.ElginIL.gov for more information on the proposed ordinance and to provide feedback.

Elgin’s move follows a growing trend across the country and within Illinois to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Similar bans have been enacted in cities such as Chicago, Evanston, and Naperville, each with varying timelines and exceptions. These policies aim to curb environmental harm from plastic waste, which can take centuries to decompose and often ends up in waterways, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans use over 380 billion plastic bags and wraps each year, with less than 10% being recycled. The proposed ban in Elgin is a step toward addressing this issue locally, aligning with broader national efforts to reduce plastic consumption.

The next steps for the ordinance include public hearings and further review by the city council. If approved, the measure will need to be finalized and implemented in time for the 2027 deadline. The city is also monitoring the progress of the state-level legislation, which could influence local policies in the future.