The Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Act (DC Disposable Bag Act of 2009) imposes a 5-cent fee on every disposable carryout bag, with funds earmarked for Anacostia River restoration.
Effective January 2010, DC Code 8-102.03 requires retailers selling food or alcohol to charge five cents per disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. Retailers retain one cent (two cents if they offer a credit for reusable bags) and remit the rest to the Anacostia River Cleanup Fund. The 2020 Sustainable DC Omnibus Act prohibits plastic carryout bags below 2.25 mils thickness, requires plastic bags to be at least 40% recycled content, and bans non-recyclable produce bags at grocers above 5,000 square feet.
Failing to charge the bag fee, providing non-compliant plastic bags, or under-remitting bag tax revenue triggers DOEE fines up to $800 per violation under DC Code 8-102.05.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Washington's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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