After the 2018 Texas Supreme Court ruling in Laredo Merchants Association v. Laredo, Arlington cannot ban or tax single-use plastic checkout bags; only voluntary retailer programs apply.
In City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association (2018), the Texas Supreme Court held that the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act preempts municipal bans or fees on single-use checkout bags. After that ruling, Texas cities including Austin and Fort Worth repealed their bag ordinances. Arlington never adopted a bag ban and is barred from doing so absent a change in state law. Retailers may voluntarily charge for bags, switch to paper or reusable, or offer recycling drop-offs. Tarrant County Public Health and Keep Arlington Beautiful run educational campaigns rather than regulatory programs.
No municipal penalties exist; any city attempt to enforce a bag ban would be void under Laredo Merchants and the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act.
Arlington, TX
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Arlington, TX
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See how other cities in Tarrant County handle plastic bag rules.
See how Arlington's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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