Plastic Bag Ban Option 

Lynnhaven River NOW is working to advance a practical, local-option policy that would allow Virginia cities and counties to prohibit single-use plastic carryout bags while preserving the existing 5-cent disposable plastic bag fee framework. The goal is not to impose a statewide ban or take away a tool that localities already have, but to give communities more flexibility to choose the approach that best fits their needs. By adding a local ban option alongside the current bag fee authority, Virginia can help communities reduce plastic pollution at the source and better protect waterways, wildlife, and public health. This added flexibility would also help limit burdens on farms, aquaculture, recycling systems, and public infrastructure while supporting cleaner, healthier neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.

Plastic Bag Fee Option

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:

• Environmental cleanup programs
• Pollution and litter mitigation programs
• Educational programs on environmental waste
• Provision of reusable plastic bags to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) benefits

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.

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 Implementation

Reusable Bag Donation

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:

1. LRNow Office – 3712 Holland Road
2. Lynnhaven Colony Congregational Church – 2217 W Great Neck Road
3. Eastern Shore Chapel – 2020 Laskin Road
4. Bayside Recreation Center – 4500 First Ct Road
5. Seatack Recreation Center – 141 S Birdneck Road
6. Great Outdoor Provision Co. – 1556 Laskin Road
7. Chalice Christian Church – 5612 Haden Road

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 Dylan.

If you or your organization would like free reusable bags, please contact Dylan or call LRNow at 757-962-5398.

Make Your Own Bag to Keep or Donate

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.