Dallas Approves Five-Cent Carryout Bag FeeDallas Approves Five-Cent Carryout Bag Fee

Dallas has approved a five-cent fee for single-use carryout paper or plastic bags, to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Dallas City Council approved the environmental fee by an 8-6 vote, the city confirmed in an e-mail. Single-use bags will be banned entirely at retail outlets in city buildings and at city-sponsored events.

Stores in Dallas will charge customers five cents for most kinds of plastic or paper carryout bags, according to the legislation promoted by council member Dwaine Caraway. He argued that plastic bags in particular were creating litter problems throughout the city.

The fee will not apply to all kinds of bags. Produce bags in grocery stories and take-home bags from restaurants are exempt, for example.

The Washington-based American Progressive Bag Alliance, which represents plastic bag manufacturers, opposed the decision, saying it will jeopardize jobs and hurt consumers.

Caraway had sought an outright ban on single-use bags originally.

Dallas officials said the money collected from the bag fee will go toward enforcement and education efforts.