Virginia Legislature Rejects Tax on Plastic, Paper Bags

A Virginia legislative panel has rejected a proposal to levy a tax on consumers who accept plastic or paper bags from retailers.

A House Finance subcommittee tabled HB1115, a bill that would have required shoppers to pay a five-cent tax for each carryout bag received from retail establishments, including grocers, pharmacies and department stores.

The move follows on the heels of a decision by state legislators to set aside a proposal to ban plastic retail bags.

“Most public officials have determined that a new tax is not the most effective approach to combat litter – and that recycling works,” says Shari Jackson of the American Chemistry Council’s Progressive Bag Affiliates, which represents domestic plastic bag manufacturers.

"Building on existing programs, new bag recycling efforts are underway in Virginia,” Jackson adds, “so shoppers can return plastic bags that aren’t being reused to most large grocery stores and other drop-off sites for recycling – along with dry-cleaning bags, newspaper bags and plastic wraps from bread, paper towels, cases of soda and more. This valuable material is in demand to make things like durable backyard decking, home-building products, city park benches and new plastic bags.”