Plastic Bags Now Banned At Most Annapolis Businesses, Mirroring Anne Arundel Law

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Free plastic bags are no longer provided at most stores in the City of Annapolis. Customers must now bring their own reusable bag or pay a 10-cent fee for each paper bag.

The Plastic Bag Reduction Act took effect last Wednesday. The legislation, Ordinance 5-24, passed the Annapolis City Council last July.

The law resembles the plastic reduction legislation that took effect in Anne Arundel County on New Year's Day 2024. The City of Annapolis sets its own laws, however, so the town needed its own ordinance to cut down on single-use plastic bags.

Officials point to nearby environmental success stories, hoping Annapolis will see the same benefits.

"In Baltimore, when they enacted their ban, within one year, Mr. Trash Wheel, which picks the trash up out of the water, saw a three times reduction in the plastic bag waste in the water so we can see that it does work," Jackie Guild, Annapolis Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability, told WMAR.

Critics worry the 10-cent fee will most affect residents from areas with low incomes. Guild told WMAR the city is distributing 3,500 free reusable bags in these neighborhoods. Free bags will also periodically be available on city buses starting this March.

Supporters think the potential environmental benefits will make the legislation a success.

"I definitely like what it does for the environment," shopper Judy Bowen told WMAR. "I don't always remember, because I'm a Baby Boomer and didn't grow up with it. My kids are a lot better at it."

There are some exceptions, however.

Plastic bags are still allowed for:

• Bakery goods and unwrapped prepared foods
• Bulk items (fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, small hardware)
• Cigars and loose tobacco
• Dry-cleaned or laundered items
• Freshly prepared hot or cold food (e.g., deli items)
• Food and goods from farmers' markets
• Ice
• Live creatures
• Newspapers
• Plant materials and flowers
• Packages of multiple bags
• Raw meat or seafood

These businesses are exempt from the paper bag fee, but they cannot distribute plastic bags:

• Standard restaurants
• Fast food restaurants
• School-operated cafeterias
• Delicatessens
• Coffee shops
• Vending trucks or carts
• Mobile food vendors

More information is posted at annapolis.gov/2197/Plastic-Bag-Reduction-Act.

Related:

• Gas Leaf Blowers Now Banned In City Of Annapolis Residential Areas
• Paper Bag Fee: Fate Of 10-Cent Charge Decided By Anne Arundel County Council
• Plastic Bag Ban Passed By City Of Annapolis: Report
• Plastic Bags Banned In Anne Arundel County, Officials Decide