MoCo Government

Plastic Bag Ban Begins January 1, 2026 in Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Government is reminding residents that the Bring Your Own Bag law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, eliminating plastic carryout bags and adding a 10 cent fee on paper bags.

The new law, passed earlier this year by the Montgomery County Council, is designed to reduce plastic waste, improve water quality, and encourage the use of reusable bags.

Under the new law, retailers will no longer be allowed to provide single-use plastic bags at checkout, with limited exceptions such as for prescription medications, dry cleaning, and perishable items like meat and produce. Shoppers who need a paper bag will be charged 10 cents per bag, double the current 5-cent fee. Half of that fee will go to the retailer to cover costs, while the other half will be remitted to the county to support local environmental and water-quality programs.

Certain transactions will be exempt from the bag charge, including food takeout and delivery orders, as well as purchases made with SNAP or WIC benefits. Residents are encouraged to begin bringing reusable bags to stores ahead of the new law to make the transition easier.

County officials say the change will help reduce litter and plastic pollution that can harm waterways and wildlife. Proceeds from the bag charge will go into the Water Quality Protection Fund, which supports stormwater management and litter cleanup efforts throughout the county.

Businesses will be required to post signage notifying customers of the new rules and include the bag charge on receipts. The county’s Department of Environmental Protection will oversee compliance, with fines possible for retailers that fail to follow the regulations. Businesses located in certain municipalities within Montgomery County are exempt from the plastic bag prohibition, though the 10-cent charge still applies.

Montgomery County first implemented a 5-cent bag fee in 2012, but the new Bring Your Own Bag law marks the first major update to the policy in over a decade. Officials say the higher fee and stricter plastic restrictions will help strengthen enforcement and create lasting behavioral change among shoppers. Additional information can be found here.

 

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