Plastic Bag Rules: Dearborn vs Detroit
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Dearborn, MI and Detroit, MI?
Dearborn and Detroit have similar restriction levels.
Dearborn, MI
Wayne County
Wayne County municipalities cannot ban or tax single-use plastic bags. Michigan's 2016 preemption statute prohibits any local fee, ordinance, or restriction on auxiliary containers including bags and cups.
View full Dearborn rules →Detroit, MI
Wayne County
Detroit cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. MCL 445.592 (Michigan Public Act 389 of 2016) bars all Michigan local units of government from adopting any ordinance regulating, restricting, or imposing a fee on 'auxiliary containers' — bags, cups, bottles, and packaging.
View full Detroit rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Preemption statute | MCL 445.594c | - |
| Effective year | 2016 | - |
| Local ban allowed | No | - |
| Bottle deposit | 10 cents statewide | - |
| Local Ordinance | - | None — Michigan preempts |
| Preemption Statute | - | MCL 445.592 (Public Act 389 of 2016) |
| Effective Date | - | March 28, 2017 |
| Original Target | - | Washtenaw County's 10-cent bag fee (voided) |
| Curbside Status | - | Bags NOT accepted in recycling cart |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dearborn FAQ
Can Wayne County charge a 10-cent fee on plastic bags?
No. Michigan law preempts local container fees and bans. Only the state legislature can authorize a bag fee, and so far it has not.
Can a Wayne County store ban plastic bags voluntarily?
Yes. Private businesses may choose not to offer plastic bags. The preemption applies only to government-imposed bans, not private retailer policies.
Detroit FAQ
Does Detroit have a plastic bag ban?
No. Detroit has no plastic bag ban or fee. MCL 445.592 (Public Act 389 of 2016) preempts every Michigan local government from regulating auxiliary containers.
What was the Washtenaw County bag fee?
Washtenaw County enacted a 10-cent paper-and-plastic bag fee in November 2016, scheduled to take effect April 2017. The Michigan Legislature passed PA 389 (MCL 445.592) in December 2016, effective March 28, 2017 — voiding the Washtenaw fee before it could be enforced. The county dropped the program.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Detroit?
At plastic-film drop-off bins at Kroger, Meijer, Walmart, and Target front entrances. The Recycle Here! center at 1331 Holden Street accepts many hard-to-recycle materials. Curbside recycling carts do NOT take plastic bags.
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