Beginning January 1, 2010 businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge you 5 cents for each carryout paper or plastic disposable bag. You can bring your own disposable or reusable bag to the store or restaurant. Some stores and restaurants will offer you a 5-cent credit per bag for bringing your own, so you’ll actually save 10 cents. You can also choose not to bag your purchase.The majority of the proceeds from the carryout bag fee will go into the new Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Fund. DDOE will administer this fund, and use it to clean and protect the Anacostia and other local waterways, and to provide reusable bags to residents. Proceeds from a new commemorative license plate and income-tax checkoff will also go into the fund.
