Announcements
New Fairfax County Requirement for Plastic Shopping Bags
Effective January 1, 2022, disposable plastic bags provided at point of sale to consumers at grocery stores, convenience stores and drugstores in Fairfax County are subject to a five-cent tax. To avoid the tax, consumers may use reusable shopping bags. Paper bags are not subject to the five-cent tax, although certain retailers may have their own fees for paper bags. See the full discussion here.
From the April 2021 Herald:
New Fairfax County Requirement for Yard Waste Containers
Each year, the county and private haulers manage more than 200,000 tons of yard waste such as grass clippings, brush, leaves, and branches. You can assist by adopting all or some of the sustainable yard waste management practices.
Eliminating plastic bags for yard waste collection will help reduce the amount of plastic in our natural environment, and for that reason, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has voted to prohibit the use of plastic bags for yard waste. Enforcement will begin on Monday, April 19, 2021.
When preparing yard waste for collection at the curb, you can use reusable containers, paper lawn bags, or tie branches up with string. Reusable containers like old trash cans are a great way to manage yard waste —especially branches and twigs. Paper yard waste bags are designed to withstand the elements and are great for all types of yard waste.
For many people, reusable containers will be a very convenient option. Such containers should be prominently labelled “YARD WASTE ONLY.” Stickers with these words are available on Amazon and elsewhere. If the surface of your container has a bumpy texture, you will need to reinforce the perimeter of the sticker with duck-tape to keep it from peeling off.