More Information for Residents
A bag ordinance could change the way many residents carry home items they buy at grocery stores and other retailers. While the proposed ordinance mandates certain requirements for businesses and the County, there are four key points that shoppers should know:
- Businesses would be required to charge at least 10 cents for new, reusable plastic bags and paper bags. Customers receiving supplemental food assistance would not be charged.
- Reusable bags – whether made of plastic or other materials – would have to meet several requirements. For example, reusable bags provided by retailers would have to be
- There are exemptions to the proposed ordinance. Some single-use plastic bags would remain available, including:
- bags used to protect dry-cleaned clothing
- bags for unwrapped food purchases such as produce
- bags used to protect food items from contamination from items such as meat
- prescription medicine bags
- Under the proposed ordinance, the County would provide resources to help educate the public and assist residents who need help obtaining reusable bags.
For more information, contact Richland County’s Department of Government and Community Services, 803-576-1547, or email bagordinance@richlandcountysc.gov.