Requirements for disposable carryout bags made available to customers by retail establishments

D.C. Code § 8-102.02 — under Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection..

D.C. Code § 8-102.02

(a) Disposable carryout bags made of plastic that cannot be recycled shall not be sold or distributed, retail or wholesale, in the District. (b) Disposable carryout bags made of paper shall: (1) Be 100% recyclable; (2) Contain a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled content; and (3) Display the phrase “Please Recycle This Bag”, or a substantially similar phrase, in a highly visible manner on the bag exterior. (c) Disposable carryout bags made of plastic shall: (1) Be 100% recyclable; (2) Be made of high-density polyethylene film marked with the SPI resin identification code 2 or low-density polyethylene film marked with the SPI resin identification code 4; and (3) Display the phrase “Please Recycle This Bag”, or a substantially similar phrase, in a highly visible manner on the bag exterior. (d) Violation of the requirements set forth in this section shall subject the retail establishment to the penalties set forth in § 8-102.04.