DC Bag Law Presented by Jeffrey Seltzer Associate Director Stormwater - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

DC Bag Law

Presented by Jeffrey Seltzer

Associate Director Stormwater Management Division District Department of the Environment

PSI’s “How Best to Bag the Bag” Webinar December 11, 2012

Anacostia River Clean Up & Protection Act (“Bag Law”)

Effective January 1, 2010, all District retailers that sell food

• r alcohol must charge

a 5¢ fee for each paper

• r plastic disposable

bag provided to customers at the point

• f sale.

Intent of the law

• By charging a nominal fee for

disposable bags, the law’s goal is to encourage District residents to use less single‐ use disposable bags and to bring more reusable bags to stores.

• Intent is to change behavior
• vs. generate revenue.

Exemptions

Some plastic and paper bags used inside a store are exempt from the fee, if they:

• Package bulk items (i.e. nuts, candy, grains, etc.)
• Contain or wrap “leaky” foods or items where dampness

may be a problem

• Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods

and…

• Restaurants with seating

Material and Labeling Requirements

• 100% Recyclable
• “Please Recycle This Bag” phrase
• Paper bags must contain a minimum of

40% post‐consumer recycled content

• Plastic bags:

HDPE LDPE

Inspection and Enforcement Process

Where does the nickel go?

• Businesses retain $.01 and submit

$.04 to the Office of Tax and Revenue

• Carry‐out Bag Credit Program allows

businesses to keep $.02 of the $.05 collected.

• Fees deposited into special purpose

fund, administered by DDOE.

Projects funded by the law

Ease of Implementation

• DDOE focused on outreach efforts during the

first year after the law took effect.

• Efforts include:
• Letters and cash register decals to

businesses

• Reusable bag distribution (partnered with

CVS/Pharmacy, Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter)

• Television, radio, transit and print ads
• Webpage: green.dc.gov/bags
• Used existing mechanism – monthly tax return

forms – for businesses to remit bag fees to city.

Challenges and Response

Challenges:

Exemptions

• Intricate exemptions can be

confusing for business owners. Bag material and labeling specifications

• Law stipulates material and

labeling requirements for both paper and plastic bags. Consistent implementation

• Cashier training is key.

Response to Challenges:

Cross training

• Agency wide training of inspectors.

Tip line

• Online platform for submitting tips:

green.dc.gov/baglawtip

Is the law working?

Anecdotal evidence…YES!

• Businesses are ordering between 50‐70% fewer bags
• Environmental groups are reporting fewer bags in the river and tributaries

Survey evidence…YES!

• 75% of District residents polled indicated that they have reduced their bag use
• Many businesses surveyed said their consumption of bags is at least 50% lower
• Majority of businesses said that the bag fee has not affected their business
• Reduction in litter and a benefit to their bottom line with fewer bags purchased
• Very few specific negatives were mentioned

More evidence? Stay tuned…

Contacts

Jeff Seltzer

Associate Director Stormwater Management Division Phone: 202‐535‐1603 Email: jeffrey.seltzer@dc.gov

Kate Judson

Bag Law Program Manager Stormwater Management Division Phone: 202‐407‐1227 Email: kate.judson@dc.gov