Plastic bag laws in the USA 2026: what pet product sellers should check

Start with the claim on the package

The FTC Green Guides say marketers should not misrepresent that a product or package is compostable. They also expect claims to be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.

For pet product sellers, that means the words compostable, biodegradable, plant-based, and eco should not be treated as decoration. The claim needs paperwork behind it

California deserves separate review

California packaging rules keep moving toward extended producer responsibility and stronger packaging accountability, CalRecycle describes SB 54 as an EPR program for packaging and single-use plastic food service ware across sectors

If you sell into California, review packaging claims, recyclable or compostable language, producer responsibility duties, and marketplace requirements before printing final packaging

State bag bans do not all work the same way

Many US plastic bag laws focus on checkout carryout bags, not every pet waste bag or refill roll, Still, a retailer may apply stricter internal rules when it reviews suppliers

Before you sell nationally, check the target states, retailer requirements, Amazon listing language, and certification files. Do not assume one label works everywhere

BPI is often the safest starting point for North America

BPI says certified products meet ASTM compostability standards and must meet program eligibility criteria, North American buyers often use BPI as a quick screen for compostable packaging claims

A BPI file does not remove the need to check certificate scope, expiration, product match, and artwork wording

Buyer checklist before launch

Ask your supplier for the certificate PDF, certificate number, holder name, product scope, material composition, bag thickness, retail artwork wording, and latest pack photos

For private label, finish compliance review before you print cartons, retail boxes, Amazon images, or claim-heavy inserts

Official sources checked

This guide uses FTC Green Guides, eCFR compostable claim language, CalRecycle SB 54 information, and BPI certification information as public reference points. It is not legal advice