City Offers Reusable Bags to SNAP and WIC Communities

SNAP and WIC recipients can avoid the five-cent bag fee when shopping at grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores by using their own bags.
Page updated on March 18, 2022 at 7:49 AM
Translate icon

City Offers Reusable Bags to SNAP and WIC Communities 

 

A DCHS CONNECT NEWS HIGHLIGHT 

Reusable Bag to SNAP and WIC

December 16, 2021--The City of Alexandria is offering reusable bags to individuals and families receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, in advance of the plastic bag tax going into effect on January 1, 2022. 

Back in September, the City of Alexandria adopted a local plastic bag tax ordinance to reduce the negative environmental impacts of single-use plastic bags. The ordinance authorizes the jurisdiction to impose a five-cent ($0.05) tax for each disposable plastic bag from grocery, convenience and drugstores.

Regulated retailers in the City of Alexandria will be required to charge a five-cent fee per disposable plastic bag provided at checkout starting January 1, 2022.

The plastic bag tax ordinances have been adopted by Arlington and Fairfax counties, too.

SNAP and WIC communities can avoid the five-cent bag fee when shopping at grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores by using their own bags. Eligible residents can grab a reusable bag at one of these locations:

Community and Human Services Front Office (DCHS)

  • 2525 Mount Vernon Ave. 
  • Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES)

  • 2900-B Business Center Dr. 
  • Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Reusable bags are available for pick-up while supplies last.

In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Virginia Code 58.1-1745, which authorizes any county or city in Virginia to impose a tax of five cents per bag on disposable plastic bags provided to customers by convenience stores, drugstores, and grocery stores. The Virginia Department of Tax Administration published the final Guidelines for the Virginia Disposable Plastic Bag Tax on September 1, 2021.

The tax would not apply to plastic bags intended for reuse; plastic bags solely used to wrap, contain or package certain items (ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food items or perishable food items); plastic bags for dry cleaning or prescription drugs; multiple plastic bags sold in packages for garbage, pet waste or leaf removal or paper bags.

For more information and frequently asked questions about the plastic bag tax in the City of Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/123190.