How Memphis Handles Single-Use Items: A Practical Guide

Memphis maintains 200 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with single-use items. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Memphis falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Plastic Bag Rules

Tennessee preempts local plastic bag bans, fees, and taxes under TCA 68-211-1101. Memphis cannot adopt a single-use plastic bag ordinance or charge a per-bag fee. Voluntary retailer programs and recycling are unaffected.

Key details: State law: TCA 68-211-1101. Effective: 2019. Local bans: Preempted. Voluntary recycling: Allowed.

Because Memphis cannot regulate plastic bags, there are no local penalties for using or distributing them. Any local ordinance attempting a ban would be unenforceable and challenged under TCA 68-211-1101 preemption.

Memphis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to plastic bag rules. That said, there are still limits.

Polystyrene Foam Rules

Tennessee preempts local bans on polystyrene foam containers and other auxiliary containers under TCA 68-211-1101. Memphis cannot prohibit Styrofoam takeout containers, cups, or coolers through ordinance.

Key details: State law: TCA 68-211-1101. Foam bans: Preempted. Voluntary switches: Allowed. City facilities: Internal policy only.

There are no local penalties for using polystyrene foam in Memphis because state preemption blocks any ordinance. Any local ban would be unenforceable under TCA 68-211-1101.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Memphis gives residents more flexibility on polystyrene foam rules.

Plastic Straw Rules

Tennessee preempts local plastic straw bans under TCA 68-211-1101. Memphis cannot require restaurants to switch to paper straws or to provide straws only on request. Federal ADA requires bendable straws as a reasonable accommodation.

Key details: State law: TCA 68-211-1101. Local straw bans: Preempted. ADA bendable straws: Always available. Voluntary switches: Common.

There are no Memphis penalties for distributing plastic straws because state law preempts local regulation. Any local straw ordinance would be unenforceable under TCA 68-211-1101.

The rules around plastic straw rules in Memphis lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Memphis gives residents more room on single-use items. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Memphis's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.