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Plastic Bag Tax

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Disposable plastic bag tax banner

Effective January 1, 2023, disposable plastic bags provided at point of sale to consumers at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores in Fairfax City will be subject to a 5 cent tax. To avoid the tax, consumers are encouraged to bring their own reusable shopping bags, or opt out of bags altogether. 

This tax does not apply to: 

  • Restaurants
  • Food banks
  • Farmers markets
  • Clothing stores

Other exceptions to the plastic bag tax: 

  • Plastic bags intended for reuse
  • Plastic bags solely used to wrap, contain, or package certain items (ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food items, or perishable food items) 
  • Plastic bags for dry cleaning or prescription drugs
  • Multiple plastic bags sold in packages for garbage or pet waste

The tax is administered and enforced by the Virginia Department of Taxation in the same manner as the Retail Sales and Use Tax. For questions about administration or enforcement, please contact Virginia Tax at 804-367-8031. 

Keep your change, bring your own bag logo

Bring Your Own Bag: 

Shoppers can avoid this bag tax by bringing their own reusable bags or opting out of bags altogether for smaller shopping trips. 

Need a reusable bag? FREE reusable grocery bags are available to residents while supplies last. Pick up a bag at Fairfax City Hall Atrium, 10455 Armstrong St., weekdays between 8:30 A.M and 5:00 P.M. (excluding holidays).
 

Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution:

The overwhelming usage of single-use plastic bags is a global phenomenon. It is estimated that between one to five trillion plastic bags are used across the globe each year, with the average American family consuming 1,500 plastic bags a year. Many plastic bags end up as litter on streets and degrade very slowly in the soil, or are carried into local streams and on into rivers, bays and oceans. Broken down microplastics from plastic bags can never be taken out of the environment. Opting to use reusable grocery bags can drastically reduce the amount of plastic bags littered in the environment. 

 plastic bag litter

The City has been working closely with the Northern Virginia Waste Management Board and other jurisdictions in an effort to align outreach, education, and common language for localities to ensure consistency and clarity. A regional informational website contains answers to frequently asked questions and multilingual outreach materials for retailers. Currently in the region, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Loudon County, City of Alexandria, and City of Falls all have enacted the plastic bag tax. The City will be updating this webpage as engagement efforts continue with the public and the regulated entities.  

More information about the plastic bag tax or any additional questions, please email Melissa Pennett.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

  • Plastic Bag Tax

    • Why has the City of Fairfax adopted a disposable plastic bag tax?

    • When does the tax take effect?

    • How will the City use the funds generated by this tax?

    • Which retailers are impacted by the plastic bag tax?

    • Does the tax apply to online purchased or mobile grocery store delivery or curbside pickup?

    • What types of bags are subject to the disposable plastic bag tax?

    • How will the tax be administered?

    • What more can I do to reduce the amount of plastic waste and litter?