The City of Rockville will prohibit plastic carryout bags at most businesses beginning Jan. 1 after the Rockville Mayor and Council voted to adopt Montgomery County’s Bring Your Own Bag Law, which aims to reduce waste and encourage reusable bag use.
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.
Per the City of Rockville: “Many Rockville businesses will be prohibited from using plastic carryout bags beginning in January, after the Mayor and Council voted Nov. 10 to apply Montgomery County’s Bring Your Own Bag Law in the City of Rockville, starting Thursday, Jan. 1.
The goal of the law is to reduce waste, protect waterways and encourage reusable bag use.
What the New Law Means
- No more plastic carryout bags at many businesses. Plastic carryout bags will no longer be allowed starting Thursday, Jan. 1, with certain exceptions.
- Paper bags will cost 10 cents each. If you forget your reusable bag, you can purchase a paper bag at the checkout.
- Bring reusable bags. Save money and the environment by keeping reusable bags handy. They’re sturdier, hold more and won’t rip on the way home.
Exemptions from the Law
- Plastic bags are still allowed in some instances, including medications from pharmacies, fresh produce, meats, seafood or bulk items, farmers markets, yard sales, and dry cleaning and garment bags.
- The 10-cent paper bag tax does not apply to transactions using SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/ Electronic Benefits Transfer), WIC-FVC (Women, Infants and Children) or other state-approved food assistance benefits at a grocery store.
- Restaurants are not required to collect the tax from customers for paper bags used to carry out prepared or leftover food or drink.
Half the tax revenues will go toward water quality programs
Learn more about the law at montgomerycountymd.gov/bag, where you will also find a “Report a Bag Tax Law Violation” link for reporting a possible carryout bag violation by a retailer.”
