Our plastic bag tax is proving to be an effective tool in reducing plastic bag usage, according to data recently released by the county. Since 2022, when the the bag tax begun, 3.6 million fewer plastic bags have been used by consumers in the county.
The data shows a positive and sustained decline in disposable plastic bags throughout the past few years.
- In 2023, there was a reduction of approximately 1.6 million plastic bags used compared to the previous year.
- And when comparing the first eight months of 2024 to the same period in 2023, an additional 2 million plastic bags were eliminated from use.
That’s nearly 4 million bags so far that will never find their way into county waterways.
“We are seeing the results of this program in the significant reduction of plastic waste,” said Jeffrey C. McKay, Board of Supervisors chairman. “The bag fee has never been about generating revenue but about changing behavior that helps our planet and helps our community reduce litter. However, any revenue that is generated is applied directly to cleaning up our streams, supporting litter reduction and providing reusable bags to vulnerable populations.”
Protecting and preserving the environment through efforts such as waste reduction is a key focus of the Countywide Strategic Plan.
Meanwhile, the five cents collected since 2022 for each used disposable bag provided by grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies have added up to more than $6 million for county projects and programs that benefit environmental sustainability and community support.
Among the initiatives paid for by the bag tax has included giving away reusable shopping bags and compostable produce bags to visitors of the county-hosted farmers markets, further aiming to reduce reliance on disposable bags.
What the Bag Tax Funds
Virginia’s law requires local governments use bag tax revenue only for specific purposes that benefit environmental programs and provide reusable bags to residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.
The plastic bag tax revenue has supported ongoing programs like Operation Stream Shield, which works to clean up local waterways, and the illegal sign removal program, which removes unauthorized signs along state roadways. Other projects include storm drain education, environmental labeling programs designed to reduce pollution and raise awareness about waste management, and projects that advance the county’s Zero Waste initiative.
In addition, the county has launched new programs targeting recycling and waste reduction in vulnerable areas of the county. These programs support residents in multifamily housing, communities designated as Opportunity Neighborhoods, and participants in the Neighborhood and Community Services' CareVan. These efforts ensure that the counties’ most at-risk communities and residents benefit from the plastic bag tax revenue as part of the One Fairfax policy for social equity.
Information on Where the Revenue Goes
Projects for funding are identified through a twice yearly selection process open to county departments and contributory agencies. Updates on revenue allocations are made to the Board of Supervisors.
We will continue to provide funds from the plastic bag tax to support future projects that promote sustainability and community well-being.
For More Information
View Bag Tax FAQs to learn more. Ready to take action? Join the Sustain Fairfax movement and help us work toward a greener, healthier future in Fairfax County.
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