Plastic Bag Rules: Goodyear vs Scottsdale
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Goodyear, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ?
Goodyear and Scottsdale have similar restriction levels.
Goodyear, AZ
Maricopa County
ARS section 9-500.38, the 2015 Cooler Heads Prevail Act, bars Maricopa County and Arizona cities from banning, taxing, or imposing fees on plastic carryout bags. Stores across the county may distribute single-use plastic bags freely.
View full Goodyear rules →Scottsdale, AZ
Maricopa County
Scottsdale cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. A.R.S. § 9-500.38 declares regulation of auxiliary containers a matter of statewide concern, preempting all Arizona cities and towns. Scottsdale's Solid Waste Division promotes voluntary plastic-film recycling at retailer drop-offs.
View full Scottsdale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Goodyear | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Preemption statute | ARS section 9-500.38 | - |
| Year enacted | 2015 (HB-2131) | - |
| County bag fee | Not allowed | - |
| Take-back program | Voluntary, store-based | - |
| Local Ordinance | - | None — Arizona preempts |
| Preemption Statute | - | A.R.S. § 9-500.38 (2015) |
| Maricopa County Pattern | - | All major cities follow preemption |
| Drop-Off | - | Bag Central Station retailer locations |
| Enforcement Tool | - | A.R.S. § 41-194.01 (SB 1487) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Goodyear FAQ
Will Maricopa County ever charge me a fee for a plastic bag?
No. ARS section 9-500.38 preempts county and city bag fees and bans, and a violating jurisdiction risks losing state-shared revenue under SB-1487. Bag charges are unlawful here.
Can a Maricopa County grocery store voluntarily switch to paper only?
Yes. Private retailers may set their own packaging policies; the preemption only blocks government-imposed mandates. Several county grocers offer reusable bags and plastic-bag recycling stations.
Scottsdale FAQ
Does Scottsdale have a plastic bag ban?
No. Scottsdale has no plastic bag ban or fee. A.R.S. § 9-500.38 preempts every Arizona city, including all of Maricopa County's major municipalities.
What is the Arizona attorney general's role here?
Under A.R.S. § 41-194.01 (SB 1487), any state legislator can ask the Attorney General to investigate a city ordinance for preemption violations. If the AG finds a violation, state shared revenue (Scottsdale's largest single revenue source) can be withheld. Bisbee experienced this in 2017 over its bag ordinance.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Scottsdale?
At Bag Central Station bins at Fry's, Safeway, Albertsons, Walmart, and Target locations across Scottsdale. The city's Solid Waste Transfer & Recycling Center on Hayden Road also accepts certain film. Curbside blue carts do NOT take plastic bags.
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