Skip the Bag, Save the River

The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act ('Bag Law') requires all District businesses selling food or alcohol charge $.05 for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag.

On January 1, 2010, the District businesses began implementing the Bag Law. Almost immediately, businesses began seeing a drastic reduction in bag usage, and environmental clean-up groups witnessed fewer bags polluting DC waterways. This new law, the first of its kind in the U.S., requires any District business selling food or alcohol to charge 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. The business keeps 1 cent (or 2 cents if it offers a rebate when customers bring their own bag), and the remaining 3 or 4 cents goes to the new Anacostia River Protection Fund.

The District Bag Law is a response to a trash study that took place in the Anacostia River. The study found that disposable plastic bags were one of the largest sources of litter in the Anacostia River. The District Bag Law aims at reducing pollution in District waterways, while raising money to clean and protect them. In addition, the funds support a reusable bag program administered by DDOE.

NEW! Final regulations on retail establishment carryout bags are now available.

On August 13th, 2010, the final regulations on retail establishment carryout bags (Chapter 10 of Title 21 of the DC Municipal Regulations) were published in the D.C. Register, 57 DCR 7208. These regulations clarify how DDOE will implement and enforce the requirements of the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009.

• Read the Bag Law regulations in full [PDF]
• View a summary of the District's carryout bag requirements  [PDF]
• View the letter we sent to District businesses affected by these new regulations. [PDF]
• Minimum Bag Labeling Requirement Details.  [PDF]

Bag Tip Line

If you suspect that a business is in violation of the District Bag Law, please fill out the Bag Tip Line Form or give us a call at (202) 407-1277.

Quick Links:

• Bag Law- More Details
• Support the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund

Resources for Businesses

• The Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009  [PDF]
• Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2009  [PDF]
• Final Regulations on Retail Establishment Carryout Bags [PDF]
• Print materials for businesses  [PDF]
• Anacostia River Trash Reduction Plan  [PDF]

Multimedia:

• Trapping Trash Before It Gets To The Anacostia - WAMU
  Money from D.C.'s bag fee is being put to good use; the District has deployed several giant skimmers to help collect trash in the area's waterways.
• Video of Mayor Fenty's press conference (Windows Media Player required)

Partners:

• CVS/pharmacy
• Giant
• Harris Teeter
• Safeway