D.C. Tax on Plastic Bags Grabs $150,000 in January

The nickel tax funds are earmarked for cleaning up the Anacostia River.

March 31, 2010

WASHINGTON - The 5-cent plastic bag tax has brought in around $150,000 during its first month of existence, the Washington Post reports. The tax began January 1, with funds directed to efforts to clean up the Anacostia River.

The D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue found that food and grocery stores provided around 3 million plastic bags in January. Prior to the tax, approximately 22.5 million plastic bags were given out monthly last year.

Bag tax sponsor council member Tommy Wells said the numbers indicate city residents are quickly adjusting to the new law. "While it??s difficult to project the annual results based on just the first month??s experience, the report shows that residents are making great strides in reducing disposable bag use," he said.

The District council wanted to change resident behavior and reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with its bag tax. Earlier last month, the city clarified its bag tax.

City officials predicted that the tax would bring in $10 million in revenue over the next four years, with funds going to the Anacostia River Cleanup Fund. But with January only generating just under $150,000, it looks like actual revenue might not be as high as projected.

"I??m thrilled with these results," said Wells. "Not only are we reducing the number of disposable bags entering our environment, but we also have new resources flowing in to help with the cleanup of the Anacostia River."

The plastic bag tax is one of the first of its type in the United States. Baltimore is also considering banning or taxing plastic bags, while San Francisco outright bans plastic bags.

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