The Montgomery County ban on plastic bags will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, with the option for shoppers to either purchase a paper bag for 10 cents or bring their own reusable bag.
Earlier this year, the council unanimously approved legislation that prohibits retail businesses located in Montgomery County from giving out plastic carryout bags, with some exceptions. Plastic bags will still be allowed for certain items such as prescription drugs, newspapers, dry-cleaned clothes, perishable items like meat or fish, and bulk items like ice, according to council documents.
During a public hearing with the county council in January, residents shared mixed opinions to the bag ban.
“We know a lot more everyday about the issue of microplastics and the impact on public health,” Councilmember Kate Stewart said Thursday. Stewart was the lead sponsor of the legislation.
Also under the bill, the tax on paper bags will increase from 5 cents to 10 cents, with half of the money going back to retailers and the other half going to the Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Those who use food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC are exempt from the paper bag tax.
“These plastic bags wind up everywhere,” Elrich said. “They’re very light, they blow very easily. They wind up in our creeks, they wind up in our parks, and you still see them hanging from trees occasionally.”
As residents shopped for groceries at Lotte Plaza Market in Rockville, county leaders gathered at the store Thursday to highlight the new law.
“It’s good for the environment,” said Rockville resident Caroline Mumo, who grew up in Kenya. Mumo said a similar law was passed there in 2017.
Some municipalities in the county, such as the City of Gaithersburg, do not have a plastic carryout bag ban.
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