Plastic Bag Rules: Phoenix vs Scottsdale
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ?
Phoenix and Scottsdale have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Phoenix | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Local Ordinance | None — Arizona preempts | None — Arizona preempts |
| Preemption Statute | A.R.S. § 9-500.38 (2015) | A.R.S. § 9-500.38 (2015) |
| Scope | Bags, boxes, cups, bottles — all auxiliary containers | - |
| Enforcement Tool | A.R.S. § 41-194.01 (SB 1487) state-shared-revenue withholding | A.R.S. § 41-194.01 (SB 1487) |
| Voluntary Program | Bag Central Station retailer film drop-offs | - |
| Maricopa County Pattern | - | All major cities follow preemption |
| Drop-Off | - | Bag Central Station retailer locations |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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 After the Attorney General threatened to withhold state shared revenue, Bisbee repealed its ordinance.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.
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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