According to a 2008 report by the District Department of the Environment, "the single largest component of trash in the [Anacostia] streams, and most likely in the river, is plastic bags." In the river's tributaries, plastic bags made up nearly 47% of the trash. The report also estimated that the costs cleaning up the River would near almost $32,400,000.

Last summer, the Council enacted the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act, which established a 5-cent fee on disposable carryout bags. Under the legislation, if a consumer brings a disposable or reusable bag to the store or restaurant, the 5-cent fee does not apply. In addition, the law established a program that encourages stores and restaurants to give an additional 5-cent credit per bag to consumers.

To learn more about the implementation of the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act, please visit the District Department of the Environment's "Skip the Bag, Save the River" website.

In order to help ease the transition for consumers who don't have their own shopping bags, my constituent services fund has purchased a number of bags for Ward 3 residents. I bring these bags with me to events and they are available at my office. If you would like a free bag, please fill out the form below.