If you went to the grocery store after Jan 1 in Alexandria, Arlington, or Fairfax County, you were likely surprised by the new plastic bag tax in place at many stores in the area. The Alexandria City Council, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Arlington County Board all adopted this new plastic bag tax in September 2021 as part of an effort to reduce the negative environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags.

Should you go to a store and need a plastic bag for your purchase, you’ll be charged five cents for each plastic bag you use as part of that transaction. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags with them when they shop. We recommend storing your reusable bags either in your car or by your front or garage door so you remember to have them with you when you head to the store.

Keep in mind that the tax does not apply to plastic bags intended for reuse, plastic bags used solely to wrap items like ice cream or meat, plastic bags for dry cleaning or prescriptions, or those bags sold in packages for things like pet waste, leaf removal or garbage.

If you’re in need of some reusable bags, please stop by our office at 106 N. Lee Street in Old Town Alexandria and we can give you one of our many Goodhart Group branded reusable bags.

Happy Shopping!