Montgomery County Government is reminding residents that the Bring Your Own Bag law takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, eliminating plastic carryout bags and adding a 10 cent fee on paper bags.
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…