The new year ushered in more than just a slew of resolutions. In one Maryland county, a ban on plastic carrier bags has now gone into full effect.
As NBC 4 Washington reported, shoppers in Montgomery County will now have to use more sustainable options to help carry their goods.
On January 1, 2026, the Bring Your Own Bag County Law went into effect, meaning your everyday plastic grocery bag is now off-limits.
The legislation is designed to reduce plastic waste and protect local waterways by banning plastic carrier bags.
Plastics can contaminate water sources with harmful chemicals, and as they break down over time, they release microplastics that can enter the bodies of aquatic species through ingestion.
These tiny particles can eventually enter the human body through seafood and from polluted water supplies. Microplastics have been linked to numerous human health issues, although more study is needed to understand their effects.
Plastic bags can also harm animals on land. In India, for example, veterinarians removed 90 pounds of plastic, including bags, from a cow’s stomach.
Shoppers who do not bring a reusable bag will be charged a 10-cent paper bag fee at most retail establishments. Five cents of that cost will go back to the retailer to cover costs, and the other five cents will go to the county’s Water Quality Protection Payment Fund.
Despite the county’s efforts to help reduce the ongoing concern of plastic pollution, many area residents expressed their dismay at the enactment of the law. For some, the added responsibility is just another burden.
“I mean, as I was packing this, I was thinking, “So what if I have heavy items? It’s going to break.” This is so ridiculous,” said one shopper.
While another resident agreed the ban’s required paper bag fee was inconvenient, at least it was being put to good use.
“Actually, paying the bag, it’s annoying, but it helps,” said the resident. “It really helps and helps with the disposal problem. It helps people to be too fast and loose with plastic bags.”
Montgomery County is not the only place to introduce such a ban. In Vermont, a statewide ban in 2020 led to a 91% reduction in plastic bag use, and about 70% of residents viewed the legislation as positive.
Although it may seem like a hassle at first, using reusable shopping bags can actually save you a lot of time and effort. By having a dedicated storage area in your car for reusable bags, you can always have them handy when you go shopping.
Since they are more durable than regular plastic bags, you can often fill them with more groceries to avoid the need for multiple bags.
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