Email This Article Print This Article Plastic bag laws, legislation Jan 08, 2010 On January 1, The District of Columbia became the first major city to impose a 5 cent fee on disposable paper and plastic bags at stores that sell food or alcohol, including grocery, liquor and drug stores, restaurants, and street vendors. Under the DC law, businesses keep 1 cent of the 5 cent fee, or 2 cents if it offers a rebate when customers bring their own bag. The remaining 3 or 4 cents goes to the city for cleaning up the Anacostia River, providing reusable bags, and educating the public about litter. The DC law is attached. According to the story pasted below, NCEL participants Virginia Delegate Adam Ebbin and Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin plan to introduce legislation similar to DC’s, with exemptions for restaurant carryout bags. They hope that DC’s actions will make it more likely their legislation will pass in 2010. For more info about DC’s plastic bag fee visit the city’s website: http://green.dc.gov/green/cwp/view,a,1248,q,463102.asp During the past few legislative session, other states have attempted to enact similar legislation requiring a fee for plastic bags used in retail stores. Other legislative options for reducing the use of plastic bags include requiring retailers to develop collection and recycling programs, which has been passed in California, Delaware, Illinois, Rhode Island, or by banning their use altogether in favor of biodegradable or reusable grocery bags, which San Francisco has done. In 2009, North Carolina’s legislature enacted SB1018, which banned the use of plastic carryout bags in the state’s barrier island counties. Wholesale or retail stores larger than 5,000 square feet or that are part of a retail chain are prohibited from providing plastic bags, although some exemptions for fish and produce are allowed. Proponents argued it would cut down on litter that can harm marine life. A related article about North Carolina’s law, which references NCEL participant Representative Pricey Harrison who sponsored the House version of the bill, can be found here: http://chickahominy.davidmlawrence.com/?p=418 For a copy of NC SB1018: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/billlookup/billlookup.pl?Session=2009&BillID=S1018 Story from Washington Examiner on MD and VA bills: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Md__-Va_-lawmakers-to-propose-5-cent-fee-on-disposable-bags-8727407-80815692.html Attachments:  DC-5centfeelaw.pdf Email This Article Print This Article

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