Single-Use Bags in Austin

On March 2, 2012, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a Single-Use Bag Ordinance, which will take effect in March 2013. The ordinance regulates of the types of bags that can be distributed by business establishments in Austin and encourages a shift to reusable bags. The ordinance calls for the phase out of limited-use bags by 2013. The proposed ordinance does not eliminate retail check-out bags. Instead, the ordinance regulates the types of bags permissible for retail check-out, in replacement of limited-use bags.

Consumers will be able to choose the type of bag they would like to use at retail counters in Austin:

Reusable bags that you bring from home at no cost
Plastic bag, 4 mil in thickness, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags.
Paper bag made of recycled content, with handles. Retailer sets the price of the bags.
Purchase another type of reusable bag from the retailer. Retailer sets the price of these bags.

Council approved the third draft of the ordinance posted on Jan. 23, along with several staff recommendations made in a Feb. 28 memo, including:

Defining paper bags with handles
Eliminating the previously proposed Temporary Surcharge requirement
Adjusting the implementation timeline for a full phase-out of limited-use bags by March 1, 2013
Removing the exemption for “Beer, Wine and Spirits Carry-out Bags”
Adding an exemption for local food pantries

Exemptions to the ordinance:

Laundry dry cleaning bags, door-hanger bags, newspaper bags, or packages of multiple bags intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or yard waste
Bags provided by pharmacists or veterinarians to contain prescription drugs or other medical necessities, only if the bags are recyclable within the City of Austin residential recycling program (i.e., paper bags)
Bags used by restaurants to take away prepared food, only if the bags are recyclable within the City of Austin residential recycling program (i.e., paper bags)
Bags used by a consumer inside a business establishment to:
- Contain bulk items, such as produce, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items
- Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, whether or not prepackaged
- Contain or wrap flowers, potted plants or other items to prevent moisture damage to other purchases
- Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods
Bags provided by local food pantries

Timeline:

July 1, 2012 through Feb. 28, 2012: Education and outreach to retailers and consumers, including bag distribution, a media campaign, signage, speaking to neighborhood groups, etc.
March 1, 2013: Ordinance goes into effect. Retailers may no longer provide single-use carryout bags.
March 1, 2013 – July 1, 2014: Continued education and outreach