Plastic Bag Rules: Fort Worth vs Keller

Does Fort Worth have a plastic bag ban?

No. Fort Worth never enacted a bag ban and cannot do so — Tex. Health & Safety Code § 361.0961, as construed by City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Ass'n (2018), preempts local checkout-bag ordinances. The city's approach is voluntary recycling.

Where can I recycle plastic bags in Fort Worth?

Drop them at any of the six Fort Worth Drop-Off Stations or at the plastic-film recycling bins at the front of Kroger, Tom Thumb, and Walmart locations. Curbside blue carts do NOT accept plastic bags — they jam the sorting machinery.

Could Texas ever let Fort Worth ban plastic bags?

Only the Texas Legislature can repeal or amend § 361.0961, and there has been no successful effort to do so since 2018. Until that happens, Fort Worth and every other Texas city is barred from local bag bans or fees.

Can any Texas city still enforce a plastic bag ban?

No. The 2018 Texas Supreme Court ruling invalidated all municipal plastic bag bans statewide, and HB 2127 (2023) further reinforces preemption against local solid waste packaging restrictions.

Can a city charge a fee for plastic bags instead?

No. The court interpreted Section 361.0961 broadly to cover both outright bans and fee-based restrictions adopted for solid waste management purposes.

Can retailers voluntarily stop offering plastic bags?

Yes. Private retailers retain the right to choose what packaging to provide. The preemption only restricts government-mandated bans, not voluntary business decisions.