Local governments across Virginia are considering implementing a new plastic bag tax.
Starting next year, Roanoke will have a new five-cent tax on each plastic bag that's used in grocery stores and convenience stores. Fairfax County and Alexandria are both considering similar proposals right now.
For Senator Adam Ebbin, a Democrat from Alexandria, it's the end result of more than a decade of advocacy that started when he was a member of the House.
"This isn't just about money from consumers," explains Ebbin. "It's more importantly about changing consumer behavior and reducing pollution, and I think that we're on the road to the start of that."
Grocery stores opposed Ebbin's bill last year, and Parker Slaybaugh at the Virginia Food Industry Association says local governments should consider hitting the pause button.
"We would encourage any locality who is considering this tax to at least consider an implementation date of after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic," says Slaybaugh.
Money raised by the new tax will go toward environmental cleanup, pollution mitigation and education programs aimed at reducing waste.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
