The Bring Your Own Bag Law (Section 52-102 of the County Code) amends the County's current law related to the use of plastic and paper carryout bags. The law takes effect January 1, 2026. The most significant changes in the new law are an increase in the bag tax to 10 cents (of which the retailer gets to keep 5 cents) and a prohibition on the use of plastic carryout bags. Businesses located in some municipalities in Montgomery County are exempt from the prohibition on the use of plastic bags. For more information about the law's applicability to municipalities, click link below for details. The Carryout Bag Law works by encouraging the public to bring their own shopping bag, and avoid taking a single-use, disposable bag which might end up as litter.

Retailers must record the bag charge on receipts and transmit the bag charge revenues to the County via a secure County Web site. The Carryout Bag Law is one of many strategies the County is using to meet federal and state regulatory requirements to reduce the litter in local waterways. Revenues from the Carryout Bag Law can only be used to defray the County's costs of litter reduction programs as well as for other stormwater control and water quality protection programs.

For additional information, please click on links below.

Online Customers who wish to speak directly with a DEP staff member regarding the Carryout Bag Law may create a Service Request by clicking on the Create Service Request button below. For inquiries requiring the response of a DEP investigator, the requestor will typically be contacted within 3 days although resolution of the issue may take longer depending on the circumstances of the case.