Plastic Bag Rules: Charlotte vs Huntersville

Does Charlotte have a plastic bag ban?

No. Charlotte has no plastic bag ban or fee. North Carolina's 2023 budget bill (S.L. 2023-134, HB 259) preempts cities and counties from regulating auxiliary containers, and the General Assembly repealed the earlier Outer Banks bag ban in 2017.

What was the Outer Banks bag ban?

In 2009, the General Assembly authorized large retailers in Dare, Currituck, and Hyde counties to stop providing plastic bags as a pilot under former Part 2G of Article 9 of Chapter 130A. The pilot ran for eight years until S.L. 2017-209 repealed it, overriding Governor Cooper's veto. After repeal, no NC jurisdiction has a bag-restriction ordinance.

Where can I recycle plastic bags in Charlotte?

At Mecklenburg County full-service recycling centers (Compost Central on Tipperary Place, Foxhole Landfill, Hickory Grove, and North Mecklenburg), and at plastic-film bins at Harris Teeter, Walmart, and Target front entrances. The curbside blue cart does NOT take plastic bags.

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No. The former Outer Banks ban was repealed in 2017 and no current statewide or municipal plastic bag ban is in effect.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.