Texas
Statewide Legislation
Status: Pending
Ordinance: HB 2416
Notes: HB 2416: Allows businesses to provide bags made from any material to customers at checkout. Prohibits and supersedes local government bag bans.
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: March 22, 2013
Austin
Status: Approved
Status Date: 04/12/2012
Plastic Summary Requirements: 4.0 thick and recyclable.
Paper Summary Requirements: must contain a minimum of 40% recycled content beginning March 1, 2013, and contain a minimum 80% recycled content by March 1, 2014.
Reusable Definition: A bag specifically designed and manufactured for multiple use, (a) requires labeling (b) has a handle (3) constructed of cloth or other washable fabric or approved plastic resins. Durable material whether woven or non woven, recyclable plastic with a minimum thickness of 4.0 mil and containing only
Stores Affected: “Business establishment” means any commercial enterprise that provides carry out bags to its customers, including sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit, and includes all employees of the business or any independent contractors associated with the business.
Fees: None
Compliance Date: 03/01/2013
Ordinance: 20120301-078 Chapter 15-6
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Updated: February 26, 2013
Brownsville
Status: Approved
Status Date: 09/20/2010
Plastic Summary Requirements: biodegradable plastic or 4.0 mil thick and recyclable.
Paper Summary Requirements: no old growth fiber, 100% recyclable, 40% minimum of PCW and specific ID requirements.
Reusable Definition: A bag specifically designed and manufactured for multiple use, (a) requires labeling (b) has a handle (3) constructed of cloth or other washable fabric or approved plastic resins. Durable material whether woven or non woven, recyclable plastic with a minimum thickness of 4.0 mil and containing only
Stores Affected: “Business establishment” means any commercial enterprise that provides carry out bags to its customers, including sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit, and includes all employees of the business or any independent contractors associated with the business.
Fees: None
Compliance Date: 03/20/2012
Ordinance: 2010-911 F Chapter 46 Article II Sections 46-47 thru 46-52
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: April 20, 2012
Corpus Christi
Status: Pending
Notes: 7/29/2013 Meeting scheduled for 7/30/2013 to begin discussion and present ordinance request for bag ban. 06/23/2012 – reviewing ban. Meeting scheduled for late May 2012
Updated: July 29, 2013
Dallas
Status: Approved
Status Date: 03/25/2014
Fees: $0.05 environmental fee on plastic and paper
Compliance Date: 01/01/2015
Ordinance: 29307
Notes: 03/26/2014 This is not a ban, but they have instituted an environmental fee on paper and plastic bags. 7/2/2013 Dallas council on summer break, will resume talks in August. 5/23/2013 A draft proposal modeled after Austin bag ordinance is being distributed for review. Under review- no action at this time, no documentation or ordinance drafted.
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Updated: January 01, 2015
El Paso
Status: Pending
Notes: HB1877 tax on plastic (2011)
Updated: April 22, 2012
Fort Stockton
Status: Approved
Status Date: 08/24/2012
Plastic Summary Requirements: Durable material
Paper Summary Requirement: no old growth fiber, 100% recyclable, 40% minimum of PCW and specific ID requirements.
Reusable Definition: A bag that is specially designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is (1) made of cloth or fabric and /or (2) made of durable material specifically designed for reuse.Stores Affected“Business” means any commercial enterprise or establishment, including sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit, and includes all employees of the business or any independent contractors associated with the business.
Fees: None
Compliance Date: 09/01/2011
Ordinance: 11-117 Chapter 12
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Updated: April 20, 2012
Houston
Status: Pending
Notes: The Mayor has brought up initial discussion, no ordinance is proposed at this time. See page 24 of document.
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: July 10, 2012
Issaquah
Status: Pending
Notes: Reviewing ordinance in May 2012
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: April 22, 2012
Kermit
Status: Approved
Status Date: 10/01/2013
Plastic Summary Requirements: 2.25 thick and Specific ID requirements.
Paper Summary Requirements: no old growth fiber, 100% recyclable, 40% minimum of PCW and specific ID requirements.
Reusable Definition: Any bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple uses, minimum lifetime capacity of 125 or more uses, carry 22 or more pounds over a distance of at least 175 feet, has a minimum volume of 15 liters, made of cloth or other machine washable fabric, Shall not contain lead, cadmium, or any other heavy metal in toxic amounts. Or made of other durable material including plastic at least 2.25 thick.
Stores Affected: Store means any of the following retail establishments located within the City: (1) A full-line, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of one million dollars ($1,000,000), or more, that sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods, or nonfood items and some perishable items
Fees: Paper Fee: $0.10 per bag
Compliance Date: 10/01/2013
Ordinance: 13-05
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: October 22, 2013
Laguna Vista
Status: Approved
Status Date: 09/11/2012
Plastic Summary Requirements: Durable material
Paper Summary Requirements: No old growth fiber, 100% recyclable, 40% minimum of PCW and specific ID requirements.Reusable DefinitionA bag that is specially designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is (1) made of cloth or fabric and /or (2) made of durable material specifically designed for reuse.
Stores Affected: Affected retail establishments means any retail business establishment, temporary vendor or restaurant, located within the corporate limits of the Town of Laguna Vista. “Business establishment” means any commercial enterprise, including sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit,
Fees: None
Compliance Date: 01/01/2013
Ordinance: 2012-23
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: October 10, 2012
Laredo
Status: Approved
Status Date: 06/02/2014
Plastic Summary Requirements: 4 mils
Paper Summary Requirements: a paper bag that contains no old growth fiber and a minimum of forty percent post-consumer recycled material.Reusable DefinitionReusable bag means a bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and is either (1) made of cloth or other washable fabric, and/or (2) made of durable plastic that is at least 4 Mils thick (1 Mil is one thousandth of one inch). (3) a paper bag that contains no old growth fiber and a minimum of forty percent post-consumer recycled material.
Stores Affected: Commercial establishment shall mean any commercial enterprise or establishment, including sole proprietorships, joint ventures, partnerships, corporations, or any other legal entity whether for profit or not and includes all employees of the business and any independent contractors associated with the business that sells retail goods to the general public
Fees: No fees- see section 33-456
Compliance Date: 04/30/2015
Ordinance: 2014-0-064
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: November 03, 2014
Midland
Status: Pending
Notes: 2012 reviewing ban/tax
Updated: April 22, 2012
Odessa
Status: Pending
Notes: 2012 reviewing ban/tax
Updated: April 22, 2012
Sunset Valley
Status: Approved
Status Date: 02/19/2013
Plastic Summary Requirements: 4.0 thick and recyclable.
Paper SummaryRequirements: Recyclable Paper.
Reusable Definition: A bag specifically designed and manufactured for multiple use, (a) requires labeling (b) has a handle (3) constructed of cloth or other washable fabric or approved plastic resins. Durable material whether woven or non woven, recyclable plastic with a minimum thickness of 4.0 mil and containing only.
Stores Affected: “Business establishment” means any commercial enterprise that provides carry out bags to its customers, including sole proprietorship, joint venture, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, whether for profit or not for profit, and includes all employees of the business or any independent contractors associated with the business.
Fees: None
Compliance Date: 09/01/2013
More Information: Link to more information
Updated: May 01, 2013