Plastic Bag Tax Adopted By Alexandria City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A plastic bag tax was approved by Alexandria City Council Saturday, making Alexandria one of three jurisdictions that adopted the tax in the last week.

Localities have authority to implement a single-use plastic bag tax ordinance under 2020 state legislation. The Arlington County Board voted Saturday to adopt a plastic bag tax, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday for its own plastic bag tax. The 5-cent tax on single-use plastic bags will go into effect in all three localities on Jan. 1, 2022 at grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores.

"A decrease in plastic carryout bags will lessen our environmental impact and improve quality of life for our Eco-City by reducing the plastic bags littering our roads and local waterways," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "This action, coupled with continuing outreach and education that empowers our residents as active partners in these efforts, is one of the many important steps Alexandria and our neighboring jurisdictions are taking toward achieving environmental sustainability."

The plastic bag tax would not apply to plastic bags intended for reuse; plastic bags solely used to wrap, contain or package certain items such as ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food items or perishable food items; plastic bags for dry cleaning or prescription drugs; or multiple plastic bags sold in packages for garbage, pet waste or leaf removal.

Part of the tax goes to the Virginia Department of Taxation for costs of administering the tax. Retailers retain a portion of the tax; until Jan. 1, 2023, they will retain two cents for each plastic bag taxed. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the amount retailers retain will drop to one cent. Localities receive the remaining revenue after deductions for retailers and tax administration costs.

Under the state legislation, localities may use tax revenue for environmental cleanup; educational programs to reduce environmental waste or address pollution and litter; or reusable bags to recipients of either Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) benefits.

City Council held a first reading of the plastic bag ordinance last Tuesday and the public hearing and final consideration on Saturday. A virtual information session for the public was held on Sept. 8.

For more information, visit the city's plastic bag tax web page.