Plastic Bag Rules: Cary vs Raleigh
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Cary, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Cary and Raleigh have similar restriction levels.
Cary, NC
Wake County
North Carolina has no statewide plastic bag ban or fee, and a former Outer Banks plastic bag ban was repealed in 2017, leaving most local bag regulation preempted in practice.
View full Cary rules →Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Raleigh cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. Section 12.10 of S.L. 2023-134 (HB 259) preempts NC cities and counties from regulating auxiliary containers. The 2017 repeal of the Outer Banks bag ban (S.L. 2017-209) had already signaled the General Assembly's preemption stance.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Local Ordinance | - | None — NC preempts via budget bill |
| Preemption Statute | - | S.L. 2023-134 § 12.10 (HB 259, 2023) |
| Earlier Action | - | S.L. 2017-209 repealed Outer Banks bag ban |
| Curbside Status | - | Bags NOT accepted in Big Blue carts |
| Drop-Off | - | Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cary FAQ
Are plastic carryout bags banned anywhere in North Carolina?
No. The former Outer Banks ban was repealed in 2017 and no current statewide or municipal plastic bag ban is in effect.
Can a North Carolina city pass a plastic bag fee?
Likely no. State law does not grant clear authority to municipalities to impose bag fees, and any local fee would face preemption challenges.
Raleigh FAQ
Does Raleigh have a plastic bag ban?
No. Raleigh has no plastic bag ban or fee. Section 12.10 of S.L. 2023-134 (HB 259) preempts North Carolina cities and counties from regulating auxiliary containers, and the General Assembly's 2017 Outer Banks repeal signaled the same stance.
What was Raleigh's 2018 bag fee proposal?
Raleigh discussed a 5–10 cent bag fee as part of the city's Community Climate Action Plan in 2018. The proposal was dropped after the General Assembly signaled it would preempt any local ordinance, which it later codified explicitly in the 2023 budget bill.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Raleigh?
At Wake County Multi-Material Recycling Facilities (East Wake, North Wake, South Wake), and at plastic-film bins at Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Walmart, and Target front entrances. The curbside Big Blue Cart does NOT take plastic bags.
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