Plastic Bag Tax Starts Jan. 1 In 3 Northern Virginia Localities

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — The start of the new year means a plastic bag tax takes effect in three Northern Virginia localities. The plastic bag tax ordinances adopted in September by the Alexandria City Council, Arlington County Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will take effect Jan. 1, 2022 at grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores in their localities. The City of Falls Church adopted an ordinance that will take effect on April 1, 2022.

At grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores, a 5-cent tax will be charged for each single-use plastic bag used for customer purchases. This applies to self-checkouts, cashier checkouts and delivery of items purchased online. The tax will not apply to durable plastic bags, with handles at least 4 millimeters thick for multiple uses; plastic bags used to wrap, contain or package ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food, perishable food, dry cleaning or prescription drugs to prevent damage or contamination; and multiple bags sold in containers to be used as garbage, pet waste, or leaf removal bags. Customers can avoid the tax by using reusable bags.

The localities have been working with the Northern Virginia Regional Waste Management Board to coordinate on outreach, timelines for implementation, and common language in the ordinances, a regional informational website has been created to share common information between the localities' plastic bag tax and frequently asked questions. The website also provides sample graphics and flyers businesses can use to inform customers of the upcoming plastic bag tax.

At least one grocery retailer has changed its plastic bag policy in response to a local ordinance. Wegmans phased out single-use plastic bags in Fairfax County stores starting Dec. 1. The stores will continue to offer paper bags with a 5-cent surcharge for each. Wegmans does not have any Arlington County stores, but a future store is planned in the City of Alexandria.

The plastic bag tax ordinances had been adopted to address negative environmental impacts of plastic bags. The tax in the three localities will be administered by the Virginia tax commissioner, and deductions will be provided to retailers. After deductions for the retailers and Virginia Department of Taxation, remaining revenue can be used by localities. Revenue may be used for environmental cleanup programs, pollution and litter mitigation programs, educational programs on environmental waste reduction, and providing reusable bags to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) benefits.

See more information on the Jan. 1, 2022 plastic bag tax ordinances from the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, and Fairfax County. Information is also available from the City of Falls Church for the ordinance taking effect on April 1, 2022.