Plastic Bag Rules: Mesa vs Phoenix
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Mesa, AZ and Phoenix, AZ?
Mesa and Phoenix have similar restriction levels.
Mesa, AZ
Maricopa County
ARS Section 11-269.18, signed in 2015, prohibits Mesa and every other Arizona city or county from banning, taxing, or regulating single-use plastic bags or other auxiliary containers. Local fees on bags are also preempted.
View full Mesa rules →Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Phoenix cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. A.R.S. § 9-500.38 declares 'the regulation of the sale, use and disposition of auxiliary containers' a matter of statewide concern and bars cities from imposing taxes, fees, or regulations on these items. Phoenix participates in the voluntary Bag Central Station retailer take-back program.
View full Phoenix rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mesa | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | ARS 11-269.18 | - |
| Year | 2015 (SB 1241) | - |
| Scope | Bags, cups, containers | Bags, boxes, cups, bottles — all auxiliary containers |
| Fees | Preempted too | - |
| Penalty for cities | Shared revenue withhold | - |
| Local Ordinance | - | None — Arizona preempts |
| Preemption Statute | - | A.R.S. § 9-500.38 (2015) |
| Enforcement Tool | - | A.R.S. § 41-194.01 (SB 1487) state-shared-revenue withholding |
| Voluntary Program | - | Bag Central Station retailer film drop-offs |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mesa FAQ
Why doesn't Mesa charge for plastic bags like California cities?
Arizona state law (ARS 11-269.18) bars every Arizona city and county from banning or charging for plastic bags. Mesa cannot adopt such a rule unless the legislature repeals the preemption.
Can Mesa stores voluntarily go bagless?
Yes. Individual Mesa retailers may voluntarily eliminate plastic bags, charge optional fees, or offer reusable bags; the preemption only blocks government mandates.
Phoenix FAQ
Does Phoenix have a plastic bag ban?
No. Phoenix has no plastic bag ban or fee. A.R.S. § 9-500.38 preempts the city, and SB 1487 (A.R.S. § 41-194.01) gives the Attorney General power to withhold state shared revenue from any Arizona city that defies the preemption.
What happened to other Arizona cities' bag bans?
Bisbee passed a bag ordinance in 2014 before § 9-500.38; the legislature enacted the preemption in 2015 specifically to block it. After the Attorney General threatened to withhold state shared revenue, Bisbee repealed its ordinance. Tempe, Flagstaff, and Sedona dropped their proposals.
Where can I recycle plastic bags in Phoenix?
At any Bag Central Station drop-off bin in front of Fry's, Safeway, Albertsons, Walmart, Target, and most major Phoenix grocers. Bags must NOT go in your blue curbside cart — they jam the MRF sortation equipment and are pulled out as contamination.
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