RICHMOND, Va. — Beginning January 1, 2026, shoppers in Richmond will see a new five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags as part of the city’s effort to reduce litter and promote environmental sustainability.
During a city council meeting on Monday, June 2, the Richmond City Council unanimously approved an ordinance imposing the tax on disposable plastic bags distributed by grocery stores, convenience stores, and drug stores throughout the city.
The tax will be levied on each disposable plastic bag handed to customers, with several exceptions including reusable plastic bags and bags used solely to wrap food items prone to contamination, such as meat, fish, and ice cream. Additionally, bags used to carry dry cleaning, prescription medications, and pre-packaged disposable bags for garbage, pet waste, or leaf removal will be exempt.
Retailers will be responsible for collecting the tax and will retain one cent of each five-cent fee, forwarding the remaining four cents to the city. Notably, the city will collect the tax even if retailers choose not to pass the cost onto consumers. Retailers who charge the tax may qualify for deductions on their own tax returns under the new ordinance.
City officials emphasized that the revenue generated from the tax will support a variety of citywide environmental initiatives, including litter cleanup, pollution reduction, and educational programs. Funds will also be allocated to provide reusable bags to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program within Richmond.
Councilmembers in favor of the ordinance cited the city’s ongoing challenges with litter as a driving factor behind the new tax. However, some members voiced concerns about the potential financial impact on vulnerable populations, including elderly residents. Alternatives suggested during the meeting included placing the financial responsibility on businesses or focusing solely on distributing reusable bags without implementing a tax.
A city official assured the council that, while the ordinance earmarks reusable bag funding specifically for SNAP and WIC recipients, the city remains committed to securing additional resources to assist other groups, such as older residents, through separate initiatives.
With Richmond joining ten other Virginia localities in adopting a disposable plastic bag tax, the measure marks a significant step toward the city’s environmental goals.
