In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation which the Governor signed authorizing Virginia localities to impose a fee of five cents per disposable plastic bag provided to retail customers by grocery stores, drug stores, and convenience stores. The Virginia Department of Taxation provides guidance for City Council about how to implement a local ordinance. Taxes are submitted to the VA Department of Taxation and the funds are available to localities to support:
Currently, Albemarle County, Alexandria City, Arlington County, Charlottesville City, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Fredericksburg City, Loudoun County, Richmond City, and Roanoke City have passed local ordinances.
Help make VB plastic bag free! LRNow is working to propose the bag fee to council, and we need to convey to councilmembers the overwhelming public support we hear everyday. Please contact your Virginia Beach Councilmember to let them know your thoughts on the fee. In addition to facts and figures, personal stories go a long way to understanding the impact of pollution in our community. If you would like to speak at council meetings this fall please subscribe to our newsletter for the call to action. We need your help to spread the word to those in VB and on council about what the fee will accomplish.
Please download talking points and information to assist in your communication:
VB Plastic Bag Fee Talking Points 2025
Plastic bag bans and fees reduce harmful bag litter on shorelines by Anna Papp and Kimberly Oremus
National Strategy to Reduce Plastic Waste – EPA
Fairfax County Data from Fee Implantation
 |
 |
LRNow collects and distributes reusable bags to help Virginia Beach residents reduce the use of single use plastic. We partner with Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, local businesses, Pearl Faith communities, and other non-profits who will collect and redistribute clean new or gently used bags to members of our community who may not have easy access to reusable bags. Many of us have extra bags in our car trunks or at home, and we can all pitch in and help get them in the hands of our neighbors who need them!
Donate your clean, gently used/new reusable bags:
Distribution Partners
We have additional bins available if your organization would like to host a drive or become a permanent drop off site. Additionally, if you have a food pantry and would like to collect bags to distribute on site you may do so. If you would like to host a collection bin, please contact Cristin.
If you or your organization would like free reusable bags, please contact LRNow at 757-962-5398 or office@lrnow.org.
Do you have extra fabric at home you’d like to repurpose into reusable bags? Use our free pattern to make bags to donate. Once finished you can bring the bags to any drop off location.
LRNow hosts a few workshops a year to learn how to sew bags. Check our events page to see if there is an upcoming workshop. We also have kits and instructions available that can you can pick up from our office anytime so you can sew at home or host your own get together. Please reach out to Cristin if you would like assistance hosting an event with your school, faith community, or social group.
 |
 |
 |
PEARL HOMES are places where people care about our environment and want to do what they can to help protect our resources.
Lynnhaven River NOW recognizes schools providing outstanding environmental education as a PEARL SCHOOL.
PEARL BUSINESSES are essential to truly move towards a more sustainable Virginia Beach and cleaner waters.
We all want to do our part to restore the health of all of our sacred waterways and protect them for future generations to enjoy.
Let us help you “green” your Lynnhaven watershed home. This unique program provides specific stormwater management practices to your yard at a significantly reduced cost.