US Bag Laws: Specify by Jurisdiction and Actual Use
There is no single US bag-law shortcut. Checkout, precheckout, waste and food-contact bags can be treated differently by state and locality — classify the use before selecting a material.
Start with four facts, not a material label
Record the destination state and city, the seller type, where the bag is provided in the transaction, and what it contains. Only then compare permitted formats, minimum charges, labelling and documentation.
A bag may meet ASTM D6400 yet still be unsuitable for a particular point-of-sale use. Conversely, a statutory precheckout or product-protection use may follow a different rule. Certification evidence and legal permission are separate checks.
The buyer due-diligence checklist
Application
Classify checkout, precheckout, liner, waste, food-contact or e-commerce use before comparing products.
Jurisdiction
Check current state law and city/county ordinances for every sales location.
Evidence
If making a compostable claim, verify the finished-product standard, certificate scope and current validity.
Artwork
Review required and prohibited wording, marks, tinting and disposal instructions before print approval.
Compare formats after the scope check
Product listings describe format and claimed standards. They do not determine legal eligibility in a state or locality; request current documents for the selected SKU.
Frequently asked questions
Download the catalogue to compare formats, then send the target jurisdiction and use for a product-specific evidence request.