Montgomery County’s new “Bring Your Own Bag” law will take effect on January 1, 2026, banning most plastic carryout bags and increasing the fee for paper bags to 10 cents. The new law, passed earlier this year by the Montgomery County Council, is designed to reduce plastic waste, improve water quality, and encourage the use of reusable bags.
Under the new law, retailers will no longer be allowed to provide single-use plastic bags at checkout, with limited exceptions such as for prescription medications, dry cleaning, and perishable items like meat and produce. Shoppers who need a paper bag will be charged 10 cents per bag, double the current 5-cent fee. Half of that fee will go to the retailer to cover costs, while the other half will be remitted to the county to support local environmental and water-quality programs.
Certain transactions will be exempt from the bag charge, including food takeout and delivery orders, as well as purchases made with SNAP or WIC benefits. Residents are encouraged to begin bringing reusable bags to stores ahead of the new law to make the transition easier…