Keep the Change - Bring Your Bag - Fight Litter

Montgomery County's Carryout Bag Law

Registration & Payment

Keep It Working - Bring your Bag

All retail establishments in Montgomery County who provide customers a plastic or paper carryout bag at the point of sale are required to charge 5 cents per bag.

The revenues from this charge are deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund. The revenues help to shift the burden of litter cleanup costs from public taxpayers to consumers who have a choice to avoid the 5-cent charge by bringing reusable bags.

The Department of Environmental Protection gives away reusable bags while supplies last at locations throughout the county. Residents may obtain a free reusable bag at the following locations: all public Libraries, SNAP benefit offices, HHS Neighborhood Opportunity Network offices, Medicaid Outreach, and Manna Foods.